Sandiacre bubble bursts with first round exit
by Alan Rowley, 12th May 2004

Sandiacre Town's reign as National Club Champions was shortlived after they crashed out of the 2004 competition at their first stage. The Town were outplayed by Elsecar at Longmoor Lane on Sunday, the Yorkshire outfit running out 14 run victors.

Batting first, Elsecar were all out for 173. With a steady drizzle falling, making fielding difficult, Sandiacre looked to be struggling to reach the target. The conditions were deteriorating when the umpires called the teams together with Sandiacre behind on run rate. To the relief of the local supporters, and the disbelief of the Yorkshire fans, the umpires decided to carry on.

Sandiacre's score continued to inch towards the target. Although overs weren't a factor, Sandiacre were losing wickets at an alarming rate. When Sheldon Guerra (pictured left) was needlessly run out going for an impossible third run, Sandiacre were nine down and twenty adrift.

The final pair were unable to secure a memorable victory and the jubilant Yorkshire players celebrated a memorable victory which sees them through to the third round.

Skipper John Trueman told the Derby Evening Telegraph after the game that they didn't bat well. He said: "It's an anti-climax, but now we'll have to be fully focused on the Premier League and the Derbyshire Cup."

Elsecar players celebrate in the rain as the final Sandiacre wicket falls

Just up the road at Ockbrook, there was an inter-county battle between old rivals Ockbrook & Borrowash and Nottinghamshire Premier early leaders Kimberley Institute. The Derbyshire side batted first and amassed 219 for the loss of five wickets before restricting the visitors to 119. In conditions that were barely playable, only Tom Collishaw (34) and skipper Jon Shaw (37) were able to master the home side attack.

For Ockbrook, spinners Lian Wharton (pictured right) and Chris Windmill each claimed three wickets as Kimberley fell 100 runs short. Ockbrook & Borrowash go on to entertain Nottinghamshire Premier Caythorpe in the next round.

Caythorpe put in the most impressive performance of the local sides with a convincing thumping away to Leicester Ivanhoe. Batting first, Ivanhoe never got started and they crumpled to a disappointing 61 all out. All the Caythorpe bowlers pitched in with wickets. Graeme Archer took 3 for 14 and Martin Holden 3 for 20. There were two wickets apiece for Tom Hemmings and Sam Powell.

Despite losing Jimmy Hindson early, James Hartley (35no) steered Caythorpe home by nine wickets.

The third round tie between Caythorpe and Ockbrook has been moved forward and takes place this Sunday (16th) at Victoria Avenue.

The other Nottinghamshire side in the tournament, last year's beaten semi-finalist West Indian Cavaliers, are through without balling a ball after their opponents Lascelles Hall conceded. Cavs now face a seaside trip to Cleethorpes in the next round.

Also through without playing are Quarndon, whose opponents Skelmanthorpe conceded. Wirksworth are out of the tournament after conceding the game to Easingwold after failing to agree a re-arranged date. Ilkeston Rutland have to try again after Sheffield Collegiate's ground was declared unfit, as do Clifton (Derbyshire) who have yet to entertain Askern Welfare.

In the final game involving local sides, Derbyshire County League Division One Dunstall thrashed Premier side Denby by 127 runs at the Deer Park. Denby won the toss, and put the home side in on a damp track. Skipper Jamie Benstead was in sparkling form with 60, aided by Rob Cooper's 43 not out.

After their 45 overs, Dunstall had reached an impressive 221 for 7, a total that was to prove way too many for the visitors. An opening onslaught from former Test star Devon Malcolm (pictured above) with 3 for 7, and Alan Gough (2 for 9), had Denby reduced to 9 for 5. Despite Bavesh Patel's 26, Denby were never going to recover from a shocking start and they finished well adrift.

Dunstall now visit Quarndon in what should be a cracking third round tie on Sunday May 23rd.