Top three all win as tense finish looms
by Gwyn Jones, 26th August 2001

Denby 169-3 beat Sandiacre Town 168-9 by 7 wickets

This was a convinving win and it keeps Denby at the top, but of course they have played one more game than Ockbrook, who are in second place. Sandiacre batted first and their approach lacked a sense of urgency. John Trueman produced a competent knock of 49, but it was left to Adrian Taylor to attack the bowling. He came in at number seven and soon scattered the ball around, but it was rather late in the innings. It was a clever ploy by Stuart Poplar to open with his two slow bowlers, Steve Bullock and Ian Parkin, and to bowl them out. Parkin took 2-50 and Bullock 3-31, and Matt Ball came on to claim two late wickets. It took Denby 34 overs to overtake the Sandiacre total., helped along by a third wicket stand of 83 between Parkin (43 not out) and man of the match Peter Scott (63 not out).

Ockbrook 111-1 beat Alvaston & Boulton 107-9 by 9 wickets

Ockbrook, with their sights clearly focused on the title, put the pressure on A&B from the start, and they pinned them down to a modest total, with top score coming from Nathan Richards (36). Duncan Player took 3-33 for Ockbrook and when they batted Johnny Owen made short work of their target as he raced to 69 not out.

Dunstall 63-0 beat Heanor Town 62 by 10 wickets

This turned out to be no contest. Heanor were skittled out in 37.2 overs, with Steve Scrimshaw taking 3-18 and Alan Gough 3-12. Dunstall were home in just 10.1 overs, with Adrian Ball making 34 not out.

Quarndon 300-7 beat Wirksworth 212 by 88 runs

Quarndon's batsmen are really coming into their own as the season comes to an end. They rattled up 300 runs in 54 overs and declared. Robin Williamson made 51, Nathan Dumelow 62 and Phil Robinson 78. For Wirksworth Andy Barlow took 3-60 and Adnan Naeem 3-70. They could not match Quarndon's run rate, but they put up a good fight to reach 212. Adnan Naeem's 74, together with his bowling earned him the award of man of the match, but in the end it was Quarndon's day, with Mark Tournier taking 3-70 and Kevin Newbold 5-40.

Chesterfield 146-8 lost to Stainsby Hall 148-2

Stainsby may be bottom, but they are putting up a great fight for survival. There was a lot of character in this victory. Chesterfield made slow progress, with the best batting coming from Ed Crowther (39) and Alan Gofton (39 not out). Simon Lacey took 3-43 and then helped to give Stainsby a solid start with 32, together with Adrian Marsh who scored 33, but the innings of the match was by skipper Peter Davies whose 70 not out saw them home in 33 overs. This win sees Stainsby move to within two points behind Langley Mill and five points behind Ilkeston Rutland.

Ilkeston Rutland 130-7 v Langley Mill 177 No Result

There were five breaks for rain in this game and in the end the overs could not be completed. Langley Mill batted first and reached a creditable score under the conditions. Rayim Karim was their top scorer with 74, but they failed to use up all of their overs and were all out in 50 overs. Martin Brandrick took 3-55 and Jason Kelly 3-38. Because of the interruptions by rain Ilkeston could only complete 36 overs, but the eleven points gained by each team may yet prove to be crucial in the relegation battle.

Next week Ilkeston Rutland are away to Alvaston & Boulton, Langley Mill are at home to Quarndon , Stainsby Hall are at home to Ockbrook, and Denby have no game. The season is boiling up to an exciting finish.