Another century for Gunawardena

DAMMIKA de Vas Gunawardena hit a century for the second successive week to fire Sleaford (266-4) to the top of Division One of the Newark Alliance.

The Sri Lankan smashed 157 and was supported well by Luke Hollingworth (72) as they beat previous leaders Balderton (232).

In Division Two, Clifton Village pair Anthony Hart (101*) and Craig Fairhall (95*) blasted an unbeaten stand of 179 in just 15 overs as they chased down Ellerslie's 216-6 to claim an eight-wicket win.

Collingham stay top after an easy win at struggling Thoresby Colliery but PCCC kept up the pressure after an exciting run chase against Attenborough (253-9) was completed with one ball to spare.

The two sides in the promotion positions in Division Three both won again to open up daylight between them and the chasing pack.

Thurgarton had an 86-run win at Newark (124) while Long Eaton had both Leon Botha and Kieron Cook hitting 74 in a 69-run triumph at Sherwood Casuals (152-7) – despite 50 and five wickets from all-rounder Jamie Rooke.

Richard Arberry (113*) fired Rolls-Royce Leisure to the top of Division Four as they registered a five-wicket win against Farndon (200).

There was an exciting climax in the game between the other promotion contenders as Calverton edged out Ransome & Marles (199-5) by one wicket.

Billy Armstrong was the hero with 134.

It was tough on Ben Davies who hit 112 and took 3-20 for R&M.

DIV One: Sleaford 266-4 (Vas Gunawardena 157, Hollingworth 72) bt Balderton 232; Papplewick & Linby 155-6 (Rhodes 63 & 3-18) bt Caythorpe 152-9; Gedling Coll 209- 5 (Barnes 54, MacKenzie 50) bt Plumtree 195-5 (Tew 74*, White 41*); Radcliffe-on-Trent 149-9 (Chris Holden 5-23) lost to Madni 151-7 (Riaz 54, Habib 5-27).

Div Two: Ellerslie 216-6 (Footitt 58) lost to Clifton Village 222-2 (Hart 101*, Fairhall 95*); PCCC 258-8 bt Attenborough 253-9; Southwell 139-5 (Powell 60) bt Notts & Arnold 135 (Couray 84); Thoresby Coll 101 lost to Collingham 238-4.

DIV THREE: Fiskerton 57 (Nevin 4-33) lost to Oxton 151-8 (Berry 5-26); Sherwood Casuals 152-7 (Rooke 59* & 5-39) lost to Long Eaton 221-7 (Botha 74, Cook 74); Newark 124 (Matchett 57, Forster 4-31) lost to Thurgarton 210-7 (Sawh 51, Mitchell 46); Gedling & Sherwood 237-5 (Morley 73, Cowlishaw 53, McMillan 50*) bt Radcliffe-on-Trent II 175-7 (Sidebottom 60*).

DIV FOUR: Bestwood Village 196 lost to Gotham Village 235; Clumber Park 145 lost to E Bridgford 183; Calverton 200-9 (Armstrong 134) bt Ransome & Marles 199-5 (Davies 112, Hatton 4-42); R-R Leisure 201-5 (Richard Arberry 113*) bt Farndon 200 (Jackson 4-35).

DIV FIVE: Lambley Village 161 (Burnett 44) lost to Nuthall 164-5 (Marsh 5-39); Long Eaton II 64 lost to Claypole 178 (S Ryder 43, B Ryder 4- 8); Balderton II 169-8 (Barnett 41, Welsher 3-11) bt Fiskerton II 85 (Turner 4-25); Collingham II 166 lost to Wollaton II 197-7 (Rattray 78); Plumtree II 185-7 (Stockdale 81) bt West Bridgfordians 99.

DIV SIX: Rainbow 191-9 bt Beeston & Toton Sycamore 190; Wiseton 120-6 bt Notts & Arnold II 119; Chilwell 150-9 (Fletcher 66) bt Southwell II 106.