Leaders Worksop bat themselves to victory

THROUGHOUT the generations, clashes between Retford and Worksop have produced stirring contests, and the latest match at West Retford was certainly no exception.

Worksop, who are leading the Bassetlaw Championship division, emerged as the winners by six wickets with 5.5 overs to spare.

This was a match which contained 557 runs, including two impressive centuries on a pitch of excellent quality.

The visitors automatically decided to field and, during the afternoon session, Retford reached an all out total of 277, mainly due to the inspiration of Darren Spooner.

Retford's captain, in marvellous form, hit his third century this season after the loss of his opening partner John Musgrove as early as the third over.

Spooner had already dispatched Smith for four consecutive boundaries.

He then took the same number of runs from the seamer's second over, which caused his immediate withdrawal.

With those eight fours and a six, Spooner reached 50 within seven overs and powered his way to 102 off only 75 balls in yet another exhilarating display.

He hit 14 fours and two sixes, which both sailed over the club's pavilion roof.

His second-wicket stand with Broadley (38) brought 137 runs in 25 overs and was only interrupted with a decision going against Broadley, the wicket-keeper having moved down the leg side.

Spooner saw Smith gather in a high 'skier' on the long-on boundary and the Retford middle order, in search of building on their colleague's skills, fell apart.

Chris Bowers revived the innings with sensible striking, including three sixes and an admirable partner in Sam Shepherd.

Bowers deserved his half-century, while Shepherd helped with fast running to remain unbeaten on 19.

Worksop had more than adequately proved they possessed a variety in attack, particularly by the pace of 31-year-old Chad Keegan whose promising fast bowling career, playing for Middlesex at Lord's, was cut short through injury.

Despite seeing one of their openers (Taylor) bowled by Broadley with the first ball of his second over, Worksop gathered in runs at a more than adequate rate.

As in the Retford innings, a second wicket stand ensued and became a major influence on the outcome of the game.

The two Indian players, Anil Mirza and Vipinlal Manikoth, are two of the acquisitions to have joined the Central Avenue club, and their partnership took Worksop to 119 by the 24th over.

Only following a none too confident lbw appeal, which went against Manikoth, was their progress halted.

This left the captain Luke Ambrose (22) to help in the addition of 59 more runs.

Smith was then well held by Jon Cooke deep at mid-off, a dismissal which brought Keegan to the crease to partner the left-handed Mirza.

Keegan had a desperate piece of fortune, back on his stumps facing Broadley, who also seemed to have captured Mirza to a catch down the leg side by Dan Watt.

The fifth wicket pair then took control with a string of boundaries and some astute placing, which added exactly 100.

This enterprise swept Worksop to their seventh victory of the season, Mirza completing his century, and Keegan reached 69, with 52 of them in boundaries.

The prize of the league title could be won by Worksop for the first time since 1975.

Retford's first tie in the Harry Tomlins Trophy against Thoresby Colliery, scheduled for last Sunday, was abandoned due to rain.

The match has been rescheduled and will now be played at West Retford this coming Sunday.