LCC President's Trophy semi-final report
by Gwyn Jones, 27th August 2001

The Derbyshire Premier League 186-9 beat the Shropshire Premier League 182-8 by 4 runs

Another hectic finish, but the Derbyshire Premier League scraped home to reach the final of this prestigious trophy. Batting first they battled all the way despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Nobody produced a big innings, but there were useful contributions from David Smit (28), Ian Parkin (25), Stuart Poplar (31), Ian Darlington (24) and Duncan Player (26). For the Shropshire League A Chantry took 4-34 , C Lewis 2-39 and M Slade 2-44

The Shropshire League got off to a better start, with R Burton and M Marvel putting on 88 for the first wicket. Burton made 42 and Marvel 43, but when they were out progress slowed down as the innings was held together by N Archibald. Skipper A Johnson contributed 25 vital runs, but as they neared the target panic set in. They reached the final over with seven runs needed to win and six wickets in hand. Off the first ball M Davies was run out, the next ball Archibald was bowled for 40, the third ball was hit for two by M Tilt, , but he was clean bowledoff the fourth ball, A Chantry was bowled off the fifth ball and C Lewis faced the last ball needing four to win; he missed it and the

Derbyshire Premier League were through to yet another final. Their hero in that final over was Ian Darlington who came on late and completed three overs, taking 4-12. Yet all the bowlers had contributed by keeping a tight line

The Final is due to be played next Sunday when their opponents will be the Notts Premier League who will be the home team. The venue has still to be decided.