A tremendous unbeaten 122 by Ian Flood set Arnold up for a big score and good support from Nolan McKenzie (36) saw them reach a very useful 208 for 6 when the overs ran out. Slow bowler Paul Gurnell helped himself to 3 for 55 as Cuckney struggled against the onslaught. Batting second Cuckney simply collapsed and were bowled out for a meager 99 runs. Rick Peacock who is in prime form at the minute grabbed 5 for 38 and received excellent support from Richard Pallister and Nolan McKenzie who both bagged a pair of wickets each.
Arnold now look to be moving in the right direction whilst Cuckney suffered back to back defeats and need to pull things together to stay in contention at the top.

Cutthorpe kept their position at the top of the table after a hard won winning draw over Farnsfield. Batting first Cutthorpe reached 207 for 7 thanks to a brilliant unbeaten knock of 63 from youngster Mark Cluer who literally took the Farnsfield attack apart in the last ten overs. Farnsfield then collapsed to 44 for 5 after twelve overs before a magnificent stand between Graham Bramley (62) and John Musgrove (38) took them to the point of victory. However the run rate had become prohibitive and Asadullah Butt (4 for 68) and Andy Pierrepont (4 for 46) tightened the grip as the innings closed on 171 for 8, giving Cutthorpe another seventeen points.

Kiveton Park moved into second place with a comfortable four wicket win over Glapwell. Batting first Glapwell were well served by skipper Gary Saxby (44) who lacked support from his colleagues as his side were dismissed for 132. Richard Spurr (3 for 20) and Andy Norbury (4 for 35) were the wicket takers for a buoyant Kiveton side. However it didn’t prove such an easy target as Glapwell struck back quickly and once again Gary Saxby was the man in form taking 4 for 44 to complete a fine all round match. Had it not been for James Bullivant with an excellent 50 Kiveton may well have struggled to achieve victory but this fine innings saw them safely home by four wickets as they reached 135 for 6.

Papplewick and Linby managed a winning draw over bottom club Worksop with a well-constructed performance. Batting first Papplewick made 259 for 7 with Lee Colledge slamming a tremendous unbeaten 72 well supported by Gareth Rusinowski (30) and professional Wayne Noon (35). Young slow bowler Luke Ambrose was the pick of an overworked Worksop attack taking 3 for 79. In reply Worksop were well served by Richard Gale (46) and Richard Hare (37) as they held out on 193 for 9. Papplewick skipper Robin Rhodes was the pick of his side’s attack taking 4 for 37 as they added eighteen points to their tally.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills completed a comfortable six wicket win over struggling Killamarsh at Huthwaite Road. Batting first Killamarsh were well served by Rob Carlisle (39) and skipper Mark Bull (32 n.o.) as they reached 145 for 9 when the overs concluded. Mark Gosling (3 for 16) and David Loveridge (3 for 53) bowled superbly for the Hosiery Mills. The target never looked to be enough and so it proved as Darren Johnson (56 n.o.) and Jonathan Best (48) carried the attack to the Killamarsh bowling. Only Parmindar Mudhar made any impression taking 3 for 53 as Hosiery Mills took the points.

As the season enters its second and vital half it is interesting to view the scrap that is going on for the two promotion places from Division 2 and at this stage North Wheatley who were a trifle unfortunate to be relegated last season are sailing along comfortably at the head of the table with a 30 point advantage and a game in hand on second placed Edwinstowe.

North Wheatley were applauded by almost all the Division 1 clubs last season for their continued attempt to play attacking cricket whilst the more defensive minded sides survived. In Saturdays match at Whitwell they again posted a big score making 232 for 5 with Dave Waller (56) and Wayne Harrison (60) both batting superbly. Ian Dennis took 3 for 100 as Whitwell strived in vain to halt the Wheatley juggernaught. In reply Whitwell were bowled out for just 98 with skipper Duncan Forrest making a lone and brave effort to turn things around with an unbeaten 50. Kiwi Michael Davidson who was sorely missed last season took 5 for 20 in the rout and looks to be coming back to the form that terrorized many Division 1 clubs in the 2000 season. It would take a brave and probably a foolish man to bet against North Wheatley reclaiming their top section spot and barring a dramatic collapse they look a cast iron odds on bet.

As for the second place that is quite a different story! Edwinstowe continue in second place and did their hopes a power of good by gaining a winning draw over Marshalls who are experiencing a very disappointing season. Batting first Edwinstowe made 165 for 8 with Craig Wathall (56) and Paul Benson (33) the premium run getters. Marshalls skipper Chris Hearn bowled steadily to take 4 for 37 for his side. Once again Marshalls failed dismally with the bat and closed on a disappointing 113 for 7 with only skipper Hearn (45) and Ian Brooks (30 n.o.) showing any application. Ian Smith (3 for 29) and John Garnham (4 for 38) took the wickets to fall and Marshalls must be wondering how a side that only lost out on promotion on the last day of last season are now only seven points from occupying a relegation position!

Anston who occupy third place scored a narrow three wicket win over fellow promotion hopefuls Eckington. Batting first Eckington could make only 123 for 9 when the overs ran out and only a brave 52 from Mark Smith saved them from even further humiliation. Andy Rucenczyn bowled brilliantly to take 7 for 45 in a dramatic and penetrative spell for Anston. In reply Anston were indebted to Pakistani import Akhilesh Rana who made a fine 52 to see his side to the target set. Tommy Dawson (5 for 59) bowled quite superbly to take 5 for 59, but his batting colleagues had left him just too much to do.

Bolsover who are my tip for the other place had a resounding 118 run win over Blyth who are slipping fast after a very good start to the season. Batting first Bolsover piled up the runs making 209 for 6 with Tariq Rashid scoring a magnificent unbeaten 120 supported well by Andy Crookes (29). Andrew Barthorpe was the pick of the Blyth attack with an impressive 3 for 29 in a good attempt to stem the tide for his side. Blyth were then swept away by Bolsover for just 91 runs with only Mark Ambrose (20) doing much to give the scorers writing hand some exercise. Chris Pemberton was Bolsover’s bowling star taking 4 for 30 with good solid support coming from Tariq Rashid (3 for 6) and Eddie Grant (2 for 18).

Biwater Clay Cross amassed the highest score of the day making 276 for 7 against hapless Milton who continue to prop up the table. Michael Bradley (47), Ian Sims (46), Martin Leatherday (44), Rob Turner (41), and Steve Cracknell (56) all made major contributions as did Cyril Martin for Milton who bowled unchanged for 23 overs to take the highly creditable 3 for 84. In reply Milton batted time out at 171 for 1 and at no time threatened Clay Cross’s huge score. Les Shaw (80 n.o.), Michael Flynn 52 and Cyril Martin (22 n.o.) seeing the to a losing draw and eight rather acceptable points

The final match was over and done just after tea as Ashover simply blew relegation rivals Everton away with total disdain. Batting first Everton collapsed from 48 for 2 to 69 all out in spectacular fashion with Roger Bolstridge bowling superbly to take 6 for 31 and Ian King giving good support with 3 for 15. Everton never looked like recovering from this disaster and Ashover knocked off the required runs in 15 overs. Andy Walker (36 n.o.) and Russell Cooke who finished off proceedings with a towering six made an unbeaten 25 as Ashover won as they pleased by nine wickets.