Stockingford AA face champions challenge 29/08/2010 - Alan Robinson
STOCKINGFORD AA have a chance to test their capabilities as a top flight club in Nuneaton Thursday League - just seven days after being promoted. As Division One winners, they face the league’s annual end-of-season finale on Thursday - the “Champions v Champions” challenge match at Ambleside Sports Club, 5.30pm. Their opponents will be powerful Premier Division champions Ansley, fresh from being crowned for a third successive year. The “Cabbage” earned the Division One title with only 19 signed players: “I am not sure who is available this week,” said skipper Graham Woods, "but I am hopeful of playing a strong side." Ansley, led this season by Ahsan Sayed, are expected to field the same full strength side that again earned them the De Mulder championship trophy. Possible teams: Ansley: Ahsan Sayed (captain), Aaron Blackmore, Richard Franks, Yasir Ali, Steve Copson, Carl Copson, Sagir Mohammed, Brendan Morgan, Neil Stringer, Daud Sayed. Robert Milligan. Stockingford: Graham Woods (captain), Lee McNeil, Asif Randeri, Zak Randeri, Sadiq Sheikh, John Paton, Tom Neale, James Dewis, Lee Hume, Wasim Khalifa, Dale Hume. Umpires: Philip York, Peter Mustin.

Singing in the rain 29/08/2010 - Alan Robinson
RAIN resolved all of the undecided issues in Mike Kiernan’s Nuneaton Thurs-day Cricket League The entire 12-match programme was abandoned for the third successive week, and league officials believe this is the first time it has happened in the competition’s 40-year history. Said secretary Alan Robinson: “No one can remember the league having a complete wipe-out three weeks in a row. I certainly cannot recall such a damp-squib finish." Champions Ansley were one club singing in the rain as their abandoned match against Atherstone meant they retain the championship for a record-equalling three years in a row. Ansley’s joy meant disappointment for the young Ambleside team who were hoping to win their game at Wolvey and the champions losing. With that scenario, Ambleside would have claimed the title by virtue of having taken more wickets. • Griff & Coton also welcomed the rain as it ensured they clinched the impressive Johnson Trophy as Division Two winners. The Heath End Road club lost only one game all of the season, pipping Ansley II to the title by two points. Griff skipper Asif Patel said: “I feel we deserved it because of our consistency throughout the season.” • The downpour also meant the abandonment of the promotion showdown between neighbours Bulkington and Collycroft at the Recreation Ground. For both sides, it was a “must win” meeting but Bulkington held a one point lead - and it was enough to take them back into the top flight of the league after a gap of ten years. The proud villagers step up with Stockingford AA who won the division by eight clear points as they clinched promotion in successive seasons. • In the relegation stakes, Fillongley and Hinckley were both sent down in their respective divisions when their games were called off. Fillongley would have escaped if they had defeated Bedworth who were somewhat relieved that the rain had the final say. Hinckley drop into Division Two having taken four fewer wickets than Nuneaton II, and they are joined by Attleborough who mustered just one win throughout the season. Honours for season: Champions (Joe De Mulder Trophy): Ansley. Division One winners (Executive Shield): Stockingford AA. Division Two winners (Johnson Trophy): Griff & Coton. • Awards will be presented at the eagerly-awaited 40th Anniversary Dinner at Ambleside Sports Club on Friday, October 22nd.