Victory for Newark R&M but agonising defeat for Southwell in the South Notts cricket league
Southwell fell to an agonising one-run defeat in Saturday’s South Notts League Division C clash with Gotham.
The visitors had made 204-8 from their 45 overs after batting first with Steve Haworth top-scoring for Gotham with 58.
Skipper James Burton made 44 before a late flurry from Joe Donnelly which would ultimately prove crucial in the final outcome as he hit five boundaries in his 39 not out off 31 balls.
Steve Wright was the pick of the Southwell attack with 3-23 while Matt Clarke claimed 2-32 and Thomas Glenn 2-44.
A strong second wicket stand of 65 between Jonathan Butler (29) and James Johnson (56) left Southwell well-placed in their reply.
Joe Fryer (19) and Alex Podmore (17) helped maintain the momentum before David Bates took charge for the hosts.
Bates blasted two fours and a six in his 38 not out off 31 deliveries, however, his efforts proved in vain as Southwell fell just short with their run chase closing on 203-6 at the end of their 45 overs.
Newark Ransome & Marles leap-frogged Ruddington into fifth place after an 85-run win in their home meeting.
James Evans and Jack Edwards were the mainstays of the Newark innings after coming together with the hosts struggling on 41-5.
A match-winning partnership of 148 for the sixth wicket saw Evans strike seven boundaries in his 69 not out while Edwards was unbeaten on 67 at the close after hitting eight fours and a six as Newark posted 189-5 from their 45 overs.
Matthew Evans then took centre stage with the ball as he produced a fantastic spell of 5-13 from nine overs which included three maidens.
Edwards capped a fine personal performance with 3-21 from 7.2 overs while KB Alex took 2-27 as Ruddington were bowled out for 104.
Farndon fell to their third defeat of the Division D season after an 86-run reversal at Belvoir 2nds.
Their hosts had batted first and signalled their intentions with openers James Clayfield (45) and Rory Johnson (56) putting on a 115-run opening partnership.
It helped Belvoir post 234-7 from 45 overs with Alex Youngman claiming a couple of run outs for Farndon while Ciaran Logue took 2-43 from seven overs.
Despite Youngman top-scoring with 57, Farndon’s main run-makers were unable to match Belvoir’s top order as they slipped to 49-4.
John Esam (21) put on 52 runs for the fifth wicket with Youngman but, once they had departed within five runs of each other, Belvoir took control of the contest to bowl out their visitors for 148.
Isuru Vidanagamage took 4-23 from 7.1 overs for the triumphant hosts while Alex Forbes finished his eight overs with 3-13.