CLUMBER PARK CRICKET CLUB
1st XI FIXTURES 2010
BASSETLAW & DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 1

"We're all looking forward to a new adventure in what'll be unchartered waters for us this season. It was a great feeling to be crowned champions last summer and the same group of players will be doing their best for us again this year. The club don't want to go down the route of having a pro - we want to become a club where local young talent can come and shine and become the best they can be. It may be that success this season will be measured by what we learn about ourselves more than results on the pitch.

Our primary aims will be to avoid relegation and surprise a few of our more illustrious opponents. More than anything, I want us to keep together as a team at all times, embrace the new challenge and enjoy the great game of cricket that we all love."

Mark Dean - Clumber Park CC 1st XI Captain

Welbeck Colliery 2nd -v- 1st XI

Clumber announced their arrival in Division 1 by over-powering Welbeck in a performance that packed more Boom Boom Pow than a Black Eyed Peas after show party.

Electing to bat on a good surface, Clumber lost an early wicket but Dave and Gareth Beard were soon into their stride and it wasn't long before the runs began to flow. Gareth led the way with some blistering shots as the ball flew to all parts. After a partnership of 144 he finally fell for an action-packed 84, having cuffed the Welbeck attack for 6 sixes. Dave Beard and Chris Ward picked up the mantle before the former fell for an excellently crafted 64. Ward (39) led a late flurry as Clumber set an imposing 254, with useful runs coming from the rest of the order, in particular Adam Bellamy (13no) and Matt Deaves (15). Chris Murphy (6-51) was the pick of the bowlers.

Welbeck could've been forgiven for feeling a little shellshocked by the batting of the league newcomers and sure enough things got worse when the Peter Pan of Bassetlaw cricket Simon Dean reduced the home side to 20 for 2. A riposte from Murphy (55) saw Welbeck threaten briefly but when Gaz Beard claimed his scalp courtesy of a superb diving catch from keeper Deaves, Clumber soon had their opponents floundering like a duck in treacle as wickets tumbled. Beard made steady inroads claiming 4 for 52 with Dean (2-34), D.Beard (1-30) and Steve Connolly (1-10) the other successful bowlers as Clumber began life in Division 1 in fine style.

1st XI -v- Mansfield & Pleasley

Having had their team photo taken in glorious sunshine, Clumber were soon being frustrated by the local weather which eventually put the dampeners on their home debut in Division 1.

Mansfield won a good toss and had immediate success with the ball. Gareth Beard and Mark Dean patiently built a platform for Clumber before Dean fell on the hour with the score on 37. Chris Ward (29) looked in good touch and shared a 50 stand with Beard before the latter was adjudged LBW for a solid 44. With the rain beginning to fall two late wickets fell in conditions more reminiscent of 'It's A Knockout' than a cricket field, before the players decided enough was enough and headed for the pavillion with Clumber 109 for 5 with 15 overs remaining and the game well poised.

By 6pm the end was nigh as two ducks settled on an ever-increasing puddle on the square. As omens go, a duck on a cricket pitch can never be a good sign and the teams accepted their fate and shook hands shortly after.

Harthill -v- 1st XI

Clumber tasted defeat for the first time this season on a wet and bitterly cold day at Harthill.

Harthill won a vital toss and put Clumber in on a track more suited to mud wrestling than league cricket and sure enough Clumber were soon in disarray at 18 for 3. Mark Dean and Ross Stallworthy dug in to add 42 before the latter fell for a promising 29. Dean fell in the 31st over for a limpet like 20 which paved the way for a vital late flurry led by Chaison Morris (32) and Darren Ward (14), returning to cricket after a 14 year absence. The innings closed on a creditable 132 with the fortunate Jones (3-14) and Hartley (3-32) the pick of the bowlers.

The home side found the going equally hard in reply and soon found themselves 19 for 2 as both Beard brothers picked up a wicket. However, the game was taken away from Clumber by Harthill's Barbadian import Griffith, who looked classier than a catwalk model in a clean hitting run-a-ball knock of 49 before falling to Ward with the score on 96. The assured Batty (37no) stood firm for the home side though and it was left to self-proclaimed Guardian reader of the year Jones (23no) to launch the final angry blows to give Harthill a deserved victory.  

Caythorpe -v- 1st XI

Clumber produced an excellent team performance away at Caythorpe to secure a their first maximum haul of the season.

Having been asked to bat on a greenish surface Clumber pair Dave Beard and Mark Dean survived an epic opening tussle with Haines, whose opening 9 overs conceded just one scoring shot. However, having weathered the storm the game turned faster than out of date milk as both batsmen broke free from the shackles to post a 92-run opening stand before Beard fell for a fine 61. Darren Ward joined skipper Dean and the pair blasted a quickfire stand of 60 before Dean (49) fell one short of a half century. Ward soon followed for an entertaining 47 but further useful runs were added in the latter stages by Gaz Beard (27), Mike Cox (10no) and Adam Bellamy (10no) as Clumber posted a solid 223 for 7.

The visitors then made a dream start with the ball when Simon Dean (3-37) rolled back the years to whip out the first three batsmen inside 6 overs. Dave Beard then got in on the act to leave the home side reeling on 25 for 5. The mood in the Caythorpe camp couldn't have been worse if they'd been tied up and forced to watch an Eastenders omnibus but they fought back with a 72-run stand led by Stanziewicz (67). However, the superb Beard (4-25) returned to break through while a wicket apiece for Bellamy and G.Beard set up a final push for 20 points. With 3 overs remaining the ball was thrown to Darren Ward who was on a hat-trick from the last time he bowled in a league game 14 years ago. He didn't pull off that feat but success wasn't far away as with his third ball he secured the win to cap a fine team performance from Clumber.

1st XI -v- Ransome & Marles

A clinical Clumber Park performance saw the local side overpower Ransom & Marles at a packed Clumber.

On a track that was drier than a hotel room mini-bar when Keith Richards is in town, Ransom won a good toss and had no hesitation in batting first, making slow but steady progress to reach 70 for 1 thanks largely to Vickery (52). With the ball as unresponsive as a Mexican police officer during a siesta, the Clumber bowlers toiled magnificently to keep the runs at around 2 an over. Sure enough, with the pressure mounting the visitors' innings dribbled away like an ice cream left out in the searing heat as they slumped from 116 for 3 to 135 all out. Dave Beard (3-25) was excellent again for the home side, with Gaz Beard (3-37) and Steve Connolly (2-6) also successful in an impressive all round display in the field.

In reply it quickly became evident that the spectators were in for treat as Dave Beard got off the mark with 2 sixes. He proceeded to blast the ball to all parts as his bat sizzled like a slice of prime fillet steak on a BBQ. Beard reached his 50 in 38 balls with 48 of his runs coming in boundaries. Matt Deaves (15) departed after an opening stand of 77 and Beard finally fell for a superb 81. By now there was to be only one winner and Gaz Beard (23no) and Chris Ward (5no) ensured Clumber romped to victory inside 26 overs to continue their solid start to life in Division 1.

1st XI -v- West Indian Cavaliers

A packed Clumber Park were served up some scintillating cricket as a powerful West Indian Cavaliers team took the lions share against a battling Clumber.
Boasting 5 Premier League regulars the Cavaliers won the toss and were soon on top with the bat led by A Afzaal and Masood (26). The latter fell with the score on 72 but K Afzaal (28) kept up the flow of runs. However, Clumber showed superb spirit both with the ball and in the field to stay in the game, a superb direct hit run-out by Stallworthy being the highlight. Afzaal finally fell for a cultured 77 and it wasn't until the final few overs that the visitors took control as Haye (47) lived up to his name by launching a series of haymaking shots of brute power to send the spectators scurrying for cover behind the ice cream van. G.Beard (2-66) and S.Dean (2-36) were the most successful bowlers for the home side with Ward, Bellamy and Stallworthy picking up a wicket apiece as the Cavaliers closed on 238 for 9.

Any hopes of an epic run chase soon evapoarted as the vistors pace attack got stuck into the Clumber batsman. When Dean fell in the 12th over with the score on 26 for 3 things looked grim for the home side but Chris Ward had other ideas as he took the attack to the opposition bowlers. a 50-run partnership with Stallworthy (10) steadied the ship before useful contributions from Rhodes (18) and Cox (13) kept Clumber afloat. Ward was in imperious form and silenced the vistors enthusiasm with 10 fours and 4 towering sixes before falling for an excellent 82 with 8 overs remaining. Two more quick wickets caused some late jangling of nerves but stalwarts Matt Deaves and Ivan Stallworthy stood firm against a late barrage as Clumber, battered and bruised and on the ropes for most of the day, battled to a deserved draw against strong opponents, with the 9 points gained feeling almost as good as a win.

Blidworth -v- 1st XI

Clumber Park produced another Rourkes Drift-esque rearguard to secure a battling draw away at Blidworth.

Having lost a 7th consecutive toss Clumber were soon chasing leather as Wilcock literally flailed the ball to all parts in a devastating opening hour. After a brutal opening 20 overs Blidworth raced to 140 for 0 before the opener holed out for a superb 98. Clumber then rallied superbly, launching the kind of comeback that would've made Elvis proud as 6 wickets fell for just 18 runs to leave the home side wobbling on 158 for 6. Murrian (54) steadied the ship before being last to fall in the final over as Clumber's efforts were rewarded with maximum bowling points. Gareth Beard (5-60) led the attack with superb support from Ross Stallworthy (2-30), while Dave Beard and Adam Bellamy picked up a wicket each.
The visitors' hopes of a successful run chase were dealt a huge blow when Beard fell in the first over of the reply. This seemed to set the tone and wickets fell at regular intervals with only Chris Ward (38) offering any meaningful resistance. At a woeful 98 for 7 it looked like Clumber had been getting batting tips from Phil Tufnell, but veterans Matt Deaves and Jim Delaney set about a heroic rearguard action. The pair added a crucial 65 before Delaney fell for 40 and when the 9th wicket fell soon after it was 'squeeky bum' time as number 11 Simon Dean went to the crease with 14 balls remaining. The impressive Deaves (40no) wasn't to be denied though and the final pair survived to ensure Clumber took a battling 10 points from the game.

Edwinstowe -v- 1st XI

Clumber produced their most disappointing display of the season having let league leaders Edwinstowe off the hook. Clumber lost a 7th consecutive toss and Edwinstowe had no hesitation in batting on a dry and worn track. However, in a sensational first half of the innings the visitors performed as if they were batting with sticks of wilted celery as they slumped to a barely credable 78 for 7. But with the game there for the taking the Clumber bowlers proceeded to lose the plot, which combined with some ragged fielding allowed the visitors to rebuild. After surviving a few edges and streaky shots in the air the Edwinstowe lower order emphatically turned the game around led by an accomplished 50 not out from Aaron Rhodes. The innings closed on 170 for 9 with Ross Stallworthy (4 for 36) by far the pick of the Clumber attack.

The Park's reply started brightly led by Dave Beard's positive 36, but disaster wasn't far away as 3 of the top 4 batsmen were triggered LBW in scenes more reminiscent of a Clint Eastwood western than a cricket ground. A promising 48 for 1 had soon become 56 for 4 and with the ball turning considerably Edwinstowe were now firmly on top. Chais Morris (20) and Ross Stallworthy (25) led a spirited riposte but when the latter became the 4th LBW victim of the innings the writing was on the wall for Clumber. Victory was duly sealed by the visitors with McNeil and Rhodes both ending with 4 wickets apiece, leaving the home side to reflect on what might have been.

Worksop -v- 1st XI

A small piece of local cricketing history occurred last Saturday as the 1st XIs of Worksop and Clumber Park met competitively for the first time in an entertaining and closely fought contest that was a credit to both clubs.
The day began with a strongly fancied Worksop side winning the toss and electing to bat against Division 1 new boys Clumber. The Worksop openers made a confident start before Taylor fell to Simon Dean (1-25). Manikoth joined Sommers at the crease and the pair began to put the home side on top with a commanding 100-run partnership before Sommers (54) fell to Connolly (1-32) for a solid half century. Godfather of Worksop cricket Glen Pym joined Manikoth whose strokes were now displaying more panache than a 19th Century moustache as Worksop reached 169 for 2. However, when Pym fell for a fluent 24 Clumber battled back well led by Gaz Beard (3-45) and Ross Stallworthy (2-45). The excellent Manikoth (112no) completed a fine century but the visitors gamely kept the flow of runs down to restrict Worksop to 222 for 7.

A solid Clumber start would be key to any hopes they had for a meaningful run chase, but their hopes were dealt a severe blow when Beard and Ward both fell in single figures to Spooner and Smith. The pace of Spooner was asking some serious questions of the visitors batting line up but skipper Mark Dean and Ross Stallworthy stood firm and steadily brought Clumber back in to the game with a valiant stand of 86. With the score on 113 for 2 in the 30th over the game was set for a pulsating finale as Clumber looked to up the tempo. Dean fell for 31 to the excellent Hancock (3-41) courtesy of a sharp stumping and Beard soon followed to put Worksop back on top. However, Clumber refused to go quietly as Stallworthy completed his half century before falling for an excellent 72. Brisk cameos from Warren Rhodes (20) and Adam Bellamy (23) left the game teetering like a see-saw struggling under the weight of a couple of sumo wrestlers, but with 12 balls remaining and 20 runs needed for victory Bellamy succumbed. 2 balls later the frenzied quest for runs saw Williams run out and Clumber suddenly found themselves 8 wickets down. The final over began with every fielder back on the boundary but neither side could muster a final decisive blow as Cox (15no) stood firm at the end of a superb game played in excellent spirits.

1st XI -v- Welbeck

Clumber maintained their solid recent form with a commanding performance against Welbeck last Saturday. The omens looked good for Clumber when they won the toss for the first time since the opening day of the season. Having elected to bat Clumber were soon dominating through openers Dave Beard and Mark Dean. The pair peppered the boundary 19 times in an entertaining opening stand of 111 before skipper Dean fell for a fluent 54. Beard soon followed for an elegant 65 but Ross Stallworthy ensured there would be no let up for the visitors with a run-a-ball 47 not out as the home side racked up a sizeable total. Chris Ward (19) and Gaz Beard (22) both added quickfire cameos in the latter stages to see Clumber close on an imposing 241 for 5.

Despite the pitch playing well Welbeck started cautiously, displaying a lack of flair that suggested they'd taken tactical advice from Fabio Capello. The visitors crawled to 63 without loss by halfway before eventually showing some intent. Clumber slowly began to make inroads but the ball proceeded to fly off the edge and evade the fielders with Welbeck proving streakier than a pack of cheap bacon as they reached 140 for 3 in the 38th over. Finally, the home side got their reward as the visitors pushed for maximum batting points. Herbert's fine vigil ended on 69 and in an action packed finale 3 wickets fell in the final over to give Clumber a deserved 17 points. Gaz Beard (3-39) and Adam Bellamy (2-36) were the pick of the bowlers in a solid Clumber display.