There were ten centurions on Saturday with 1G’s Shiraz Khalid hitting his 4th of the season with a match winning 144 for Rainworth against Sutton Bonnington. Keyworth II recorded a rare victory on the back of a personal best of 136* for Richard Drury. 19 yr old Lee Morley (107*), hit his maiden league century as Lambley II secured their position in 2E with a win over 2nd place Thrumpton II.

Bowling performances were at a premium so Chris Holden’s 7/80, taking all 7 wickets to fall against 2nd placed Long Eaton, in 1A is the pick of a small bunch. George Hilton of Farndon II went one better than a Hat Trick taking 4 in 4 balls against Newstead Abbey III. Imran Khan hit 50 off only 21 balls for Wilson s against Thurgarton.

In contrast to these successes, it was a disappointing week for a number of enthusiastic cricketers as 6 teams called off their games due to a shortage of players with 3 of them in 2D.

Long Eaton (255/7), with Brett Scothern 139, are in the runners up spot of 1A after a winning draw against Radcliffe (161/6). Gedling Colliery (240/7) are hoping to pinch that position and kept the pressure on with a draw against Attenborough (204/7), who need just 2pts to guarantee 1A cricket next season. Eastwood Town’s (170/9) defeat at Loughborough (172/2) gives safety to Carillon but almost certainly 1B cricket for Eastwood with Gotham who are already relegated.

Notts Amateurs’ win against 2nd placed Rolls Royce Leisure sees them lift the 1B crown in what appears to be their last season, as a merger with Arnold is in the advanced stages. Majid Saeed along with Jeff Ainger hit 97 in Amateurs’ 238/4 whilst Rolls Royce could only scrape 118. The defeat has wreaked havoc on Rolls Royce’s promotion hopes as Newstead Abbey (245/7) move into the 2nd place with a draw over Bottesford (108/7). Philip Baker (140) and Jim Keys (6/106) fought hard for relegated Stanton-by-Dale but they failed by a modest 8 runs to reach Gedling Sherwood’s 232/9.

A great game of cricket was Bramcote’s (215) losing captain Dave Green’s verdict on their game with Nottingham. No professionals just honest cricketers giving their all as Nottingham (218/9) recorded a farewell victory by 3runs.

1C has seen the biggest turnaround as runaway leaders Thrumpton (108) have fallen out of the race with another defeat, this time at home to Kirkby Portland (109/1). Ellerslie are promoted after beating Keyworth (60) by 6wkts, whilst Newark and Thurgarton are fighting for the final promotion place after both had wins. Lady Bay Boots leap-frogged Hickling last week to take over the top spot of 1D only to be crushed by Hickling this week. Hickling scored 208/3 and restricted Boots to a mere 132/9. Wymeswold have timed their winning streak well with another win this time a 5wkt victory over Underwood 144, to ensure their place in Division C/D next year.

West Indian Caribs (151) are champions of 1E with a more modest win over Willoughby (134). Leaders Cotgrave (65) were stunned by Bestwood Village who won with 8wkts to spare.

Snibston Grange (162), who lost to Cotgrave last week, are now back in the hunt for the 1F title as only 0.2 of a point separates the two teams, after beating Woodborough (98/9). Gladstone, who have lost heart since gaining a top two spot then realising there is no promotion from 1G with the league shake-up, slipped to yet another poor defeat against Welby (169) who bowled them out for 86. Other teams whose promotion hopes were over earlier than Gladstone’s, are still giving it all as they try to reach as high up the league as they can. Stapleford and in particular Lambley are two such teams who shared a royal battle at Toton Manor. Stapleford batting first scored 223/8 and Lambley replied with 200/8.

Hoveringham and Lenton Abbey are promoted after the week’s wins, Lenton (226) beat Carrington Cavaliers (84) who have gone backwards over the last few weeks, despite reaching the Raleigh Cup Final. Hoveringham had less trouble beating Poplars (52) by 8wkts.

2nd XI report

Clifton Village II have regained the top spot as they drew with Plumtree. Plumtree skipper Paul Kelly had to leave the field after dislocating his shoulder. Clifton scored 180 and had Plumtree closing in on a victory until a flurry of wickets saw Kelly return to the game as No.11 batsman, including his arm in a sling to help save the draw (173/9).

Wollaton (170/9) were upset by Hucknall 188/9, but came close to victory before holding on to the draw points. Dave Rimmer returned after being out injured, his 121 and 4/26 steering Southwell II to a winning draw over Radcliffe II (143/9).

Gedling Colliery (186/8) are winners of 2B and did it in some style defeating Notts. Amateurs by 149 runs. Lady Bay Boots II (87/5) are in 2nd spot beating relegation-threatened Eastwood (84). Calverton II capped a remarkable day for the club hitting the day’s highest score, 300/3, at home to Newark 148 - the win making them double champions.

Attenborough III’s Tom Murray (101*) pushed his club to within 2pts of the 2D crown as they beat Balderton 133/9 by 114 runs. Newstead II are also fighting for that crown after beating West Bridgfordians (62) by 9wkts. Thrumpton II’s Mark Priestley (111*) could not save his side from defeat away at Lambley II (201/6) but they are still sure of promotion along with Sawley III, as are Wilsons II and Beeston II in 2F.

Snibston Grange II’s win over Belvoir III ensures them the 2G crown, while Clifton III have had their last three games called off by the opposition to ruin any chances they had of promotion. Shepshed Town IV (157/5) had a rare win beating Toton Sycamore (154) by 5wkts.