For the report from the Burton Mail click here.

Saturday

The firsts travelled to Elvaston and with promotion out of the equation there was only getting back above Spondon into 3rd place to play for. Batting first Dave Hartley and then George Chapman fell early but then Dave Adams (50) and Andy Goodwin (85) put together a partnership of over 100 to take the score towards 150. Tony Mudd then made a useful 20 and then there was some good late batting by Dave Mudd and then Ady Shales to take the score to a good 228.

Dave Mudd removed the dangerous Ault early on but then Lee Archer and Richard Johnson started to put on a match winning partnership and at drinks the score was 110-1, only 5 an over was needed and they were in a strong position.

Dave Mudd was brought back into the attack and applied the breaks and with Andy Goodwin removing Johnson and then Archer the game swung back in our favour. The new batsman could not get going an the scoring rate slowed dramatically so for the last 10 overs bonus points were only to play for. Restricting Elvaston to more than 50 behind gave us maximum draw points but with only 4 wickets down we only got 17 points all together.

The seconds had a top result at home to Breadsall restricting them to 124-7 in 46 overs. Graham Boden taking 3-24 but all the bowlers bowled tidily.

After a mini scare John Goodwin and Mark Johnson both scored 39, Mark remaining unbeaten to steer them home with the loss of 6 wickets to give them 22 points.

The thirds were basically safe but still needed a few points to guarantee 5S cricket next year as they went to play Elvaston. The restricted the home side to 201-8 with Merv Timbrell taking 3-36. The top three batted really well to win the game with Neil Adams with 89 not out, Dave Finch with 42 and Merv Timbrell with 54 not out seeing us to a 9 wicket win.

The fourths had their last game of the season at home to Sawley and finished the season with a winning draw. They scored a very respectable 226-4 with John Clement (53), Tom Poynton (52), Luke Carthy (31) and Dave Bridgen with 49 not out being the main contributors.

Sawley had a good go in reply but ended on 202-8 with the wickets being shared around. A good finish to the season by the fourths who ended up in 8th place.

Sunday

The firsts entertained Selston who had all ready been condemmed to division 3N because of them not having a junior side and knowing that a win would secure 3rd place. Losing the toss again and fielding first Chris Dunn was run out early by some top fielding by Will Chapman. Jonny Shales then took 2 wickets quickly but the overseas Ali looked in good touch and although wickets were falling at the other end he continued to score runs quickly. Andy Goodwin took his 50th wicket of the season in a brief spell and then Sean Green was introduced to pick up 2 wickets, including Ali for 91. Not a bad batsman who went past 1000 runs for the season during the innings. Ahktar scored a quick 35 as Seleston edged towards 200 but then Jonny Shales returned to pick up the last 3 to register another 5 wicket haul and end with figures of 5-44 and bowl them out for 196.

Dave Adams fell early followed by Jonny Shales to leave the score at 21-2 but then Dave Hartley and Andy Goodwin made sure we would finish the season with a win. They put on 149 for the 3rd wicket and when Goodwin fell for 64 there was only 26 needed to win. Hartley finished the season in style with 78 not out as we went past the required total with 6 wickets and 12 overs left.

The seconds travelled to West Park to face Sawley who posted a big total of 265-7 in 46 overs with Mark Johnson taking 4-65. The total looked like a possibility wiht 80 needed off 10 overs but then Rob Goodwin fell for 41 and the total fell out of reach and they settled for a losing draw and 9 points. A good weekend for the 2nds who ended up in 8th place and only 9 points from 6th place.

The thirds ended up losing their last game of the season even after scoring an excellent 264-7. Adam Poynton (35), Dave Cottrill (77 not out), Ian Cooper (37) and Tom Poynton with 41 not out all contributed to the score. In a close finish Nutbrook edged past the score with only Sam Eaten (3-96) making an impact with wickets. The 3rds ended up 7th in a strong league and it has been a good season for them.

Related Links:
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