Their only objective now is to see whether they can complete their programme unbeaten and this progressive side will certainly be hoping to carry that out.

The writing was on the wall for opponents Farnsfield when Retford piled up a mammoth 240 for 7 with Pascal Broadley (62), Mickey Mosley (42), skipper Steve Musgrove (39) and Nigel Hall (38) all chipping in with major contributions. Kiwi Mark Silcock with 3 for 37 was the pick of a wilting Farnsfield attack.

One would have thought that it couldn’t get any worse for Farnsfield but it did with Retford bowling them out for just 81 and only skipper Andy Edwards defiant 30 saved them from complete ignominity. Paul Singleton who has had an excellent season for Retford with the ball took 6 for 47 and he was well backed up by Steve Randall with 4 for 17 in a complete rout.

After what was arguably the worst season in their history last campaign, Retford have come back with a bang this time and are brave and brilliant winners who deserve all the plaudits which are attributed to them.

Arnold continue in second place and picked up another maximum as they thrashed North Wheatley by 137 runs at the King George V Playing Fields.

Batting first Arnold made 210 for 5 with Don Leiper making a brilliant 114, and this score proved to be far too good for Wheatley who were disappointingly dismissed for just 73 with Gareth Chapple taking 5 for 15 in an excellent spell of bowling.

Cutthorpe did a similar demolition job on another relegation haunted side Glapwell who might well have laundered hopes at the mid-way stage. Batting first Cutthorpe were indebted to Asadullah Butt (43) and Matt Cluer (32) as they struggled to a modest total of 162 for 7 in their fifty overs.

This total proved easily enough as Glapwell were vanquished for just 84 and one wonders how much worse it would have been had Nick Truswell not stuck around to make a more than welcome 38 runs. For the rest it was no contest as Asadullah Butt swept through them to take 7 for 21 in a magical spell of bowling that totally destroyed Glapwell who were all back inside virtually before their feet had settled on the pitch.

Killamarsh who are very deep in the mire also lost, but they could and should have done much better at Thoresby Colliery and must be cursing their luck at the moment. Batting first Killamarsh made a respectable 193 for 6 when the overs ran out with Sam Malpass (50) and Julian Carlisle (53 n.o.) both batting extremely well. Dave Evans was the best of the Thoresby attack taking 3 for 35 in an excellent spell of bowling.

A great early burst by the Killamarsh attack had Thoresby on the ropes at 40 for 5 but some superb stroke play by Australian Daniel Nash (70 n.o.) and Shailesh Patel (61) pulled them round and steered them to a vital three wicket win. Dave Barton (5 for 81) bowled splendidly for Killamarsh but it was not to be and they still have a mountain to climb to ensure survival.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills made easily the highest score of the day with a huge 270 for 6 at Bolsover with Jonathan Smaill leading the way with a superb 94. Asela Jayasinghe added good support with 50 and Steve Wooley was the best of the Bolsover attack with 3 for 61.

Bolsover never looked likely to match this formidable target and closed on 173 for 8 with Eddie Grant top scoring on 49. Young slow bowler Matt New emphasised his immense potential taking 4 for 75 in a fine effort to gain his side maximum points. Bolsover could still do with a few more points to ensure safety, but should be O.K. unless the teams below them finish with a major flourish.

The match between the two mid table sides Cuckney and Kiveton Park resulted in an easy win for the latter by 68 runs. Batting first Kiveton reached a comfortable 194 for 9 with Richard Grainger making a magnificent 92, and Rob Coxon (38). Yasar Tariq with 3 for 36 bowled extremely tidily for the Cuckney attack.

In reply Cuckney were bowled out for just 126 with Jamie Radford (3 for 38) and slow bowler Ian Thompson (3 for 14) bowling splendidly as their side raced to victory with ease.

In Division 2 Worksop edged a few points nearer the title with a resounding nine wicket win over Biwater Clay Cross. Batting first Clay Cross had no answer to Paul Burton (5 for 56) and Steve Ambrose (3 for 19) as they were bowled out for just 123.

This target proved no contest as Worksop lost only the services of Steve Walker (30) before victory was achieved. Jamil Hassan (50 n.o.) and Glen Pym (38 n.o.) were the unbeaten batsmen in form and barring a miracle Worksop are on their way back to Division 1 after only one season away.

Edwinstowe look like joining them although they are making hard work of it. At Whitwell on Saturday they limited the home side to just 133 for 9 with South African Michael Alexander top scoring with a much needed 66. John Garnham (4 for 57) produced the goods for Edwinstowe and at this point victory looked a certainty.

As it happened they did achieve just that but what a struggle they went through doing it. At 105 for 7 Edwiinstowe were in serious danger of losing, but a great stand with Paul Benson (46 n.o.) putting together the most important innings of his life eventually saw them scrape home by three wickets. Nathan Morris (3 for 35) was the best of the Whitwell bowlers and they put up a tremendous fight before going down as Edwinstowe reached 136 for 7.

Marshalls kept up the pressure on the leaders but with only two matches to play and the difference between them and Edwinstowe being 28 points it would seem to be a vain chase. Marshalls must surely rue the mid season blip which saw them throw away far too many points against sides that they should have demolished without thinking about it!

Their latest performance saw them involved in a winning draw against Blyth who are now almost free from the ogre of relegation. Batting first Marshalls once again had Kevin Housham (73), Australian Tim Down (47) and Liam Andrews (57) in prime form as they built up a score of 204 for 6. Veteran Steve Howe again showed his guile and length for Blyth taking 4 for 53 in a superb spell of bowling.

In reply, Blyth made sure they picked up some points and settled for seven very vital ones as they closed on 178 for 7. Geoff Chessman continued his fine form with 36 and Richard Wild (32) also batted well. The real star was skipper Pete Jones who played a captain’s innings to make an unbeaten 53 in a gritty knock that sees his side 26 points clear of Everton who are now second from the bottom of the table.

Ashover who are having a torrid time of things sank without trace losing by ten wickets at N.S.K.. and didn’t pick up a single point in the process. Batting first Ashover were dismissed for a miserable 76 runs with Gary Lambert (3 for 11) and Jurgen Van de Merwe (5 for 18) simply cutting through some non existent resistance.

This meagre target proved no problem to N.S.K. and the Newark side blasted off the runs without losing a wicket. Ian Sellars (37 n.o.) and Joe Smith (34 n.o.) batted extremely comfortably and made one wonder what demons Ashover had found in the wicket when they had batted. Ashover have now sunk to the bottom of the table and look certain to spending next term in Division 3.

Everton escaped with a losing draw from their match against Eckington and put up quite a good show in the circumstances. Batting first Eckington fired on all cylinders making 228 for 5 with Mark Bridgeman (50), Simon Emson (30), Mike Long (61 n.o.) and Dave Smith (54 n.o.) all showing what they can do in an excellent batting display. John Shaw (3 for 85) bowled well for Everton in a vain attempt to stem the tide.

In reply Everton made a commendable 166 for 7 with Sas Kar (47), Neil Waghorn (41 n.o.) and Bob Mimms (36 n.o.) all batting well in a fine rearguard action. Slow left armer Wayne Dye (4 for 22) bowled well for Eckington but the final three wickets refused to budge and Everton picked up seven points for their trouble.

The mid table match between Pilsley and Anston built up to a frantic finish with several good performances on both sides in a low scoring encounter. Batting first Anston were dismissed for just 134 with Mark Parkinson making a superb 52 whilst Faisal Khan (3 for 16) was the best of the Pilsley bowling attack.

Pilsley found this modest target not too easy and had it not been for Faisal Khan (68) and Steve Jelly ((49 n.o.) they would have been in a terrible mess. Not for the first time this season Andy Ruczenczyn showed what a fine all rounder he is taking seven wickets for 58 runs in a marvellous performance as Pilsley just squeaked home on 138 for 8 for a dramatic two wicket win