Derbyshire Premier League match reports - 18/08/01
by Gwyn Jones, 19th August 2001

All games in the Premier League were affected by rain, which came after the tea interval. Some grounds were better than others in protecting the pitch, and one such ground was at Denby, where the covers were quickly in place as soon as the rain threatened. Their game against Dunstall was played to a conclusion, and the result could have a bearing on the placings at the top of this League.

Denby 201-6 lost to Dunstall 204-3 by 7 wickets .
B W Financial Services Man of the Match - Phil Simmons

This was an excellent game because both sides played for the win. It would have given Denby 27 points and strengthened their lead against second placed Ockbrook. In the event they lost some ground because they only gained five points..With a game in hand Ockbrook can overtake them. Dunstall, on the other hand are now in a position to challenge both Denby and Ockbrook.

Denby batted well enough after losing two early wickets. There were good knocks from Stuart Poplar (43), and Ian Burgoyne (38), but there was a need to speed up the scoring in the last ten overs, This was achieved by Shannon Waters with a hard hit 29 and and a lively innings from Ian Parkin, whose 49 not out ended with a big six off the last ball. For Dunstall Steve Scrimshaw took 3-32.and they batted with urgency from the start and were not put off by the ever present rain.

The game was transformed by Phil Simmons who blasted the Denby bowling to such good effect that the target was reached in 25.3 overs. His 98 not out was achieved off 54 balls and included nine fours and six sixes.

Langley Mill 34-1 v Ockbrook 259-8 declared. No Result
B W Financial Services Man of the Match - Nigel Sulley

There was real determination in Ockbrook's batting. There was another class act from Nigel Sulley (116) and a captain's innings from Dave Hallack (42), and they declared after 53 overs, thus giving themselves two extra overs to bowl out the Millers. However, they were thwarted by the rain which saturated the ground, and the match ended when Langley Mill had reached 34-1 off eight overs.

Alvaston & Boulton 224-6 v Chesterfield who did not bat. No Result
B W Financial Services Man of the Match - Garry Smith

This was a similar story. A&B posted a good score, with useful contributions from Gary Smith (77), Matt Boyer (55) and Adrian West (30). David Adams toiled away for Chesterfield and ended with 4-104.

Heanor Town 242-4 v Quarndon 28-0. No Result
B W Financial Services Man of the Match - Graham Bush

Graham Bush (76) and Graeme Archer (72) lifted the Heanor innings and they were well placed at the tea interval. Nathan Dumelow took 3-66 for Quarndon who are currently in good form with the bat, and would have fancied their chances, but their progress was halted by torrential rain when they had reached 28-0 off eight overs

Sandiacre Town 212-9 v Stainsby Hall who did not bat. No Result
B W Financial Services Man of the Match - John Trueman

A wedding by a member of the team had the effect of taking away four members of the Stainsby team, and the did well to confine Sandiacre to 212-9. John Trueman was again Sandiacre's top scorer with (63) and there was good support from Ben Spendlove (48). Paul Leatherland was the most successful.of the Stainsby bowlers, taking 3-46.

Wirksworth 227-8 v Ilkeston Rutland 192-7. No Result
B W Financial Services Man of the Match - Jason Kelly

Both sides strove hard for a result, but the rain caused it to become a Time Match, and in the end time ran out. David Greatorex (50) was Wirksworth's top scorer and there was effective support from Kevin Hunter (33) and Andy Barlow (31). Ilkeston's Aussie, Jason Kelly performed well with bat and ball, taking 3-54 and scoring 47 not out. David Smit added 35 for Ilkeston and for Wirksworth Kevin Hunter demonstrated his all-round talent by taking 3-32..It was a close result in the end, but both will welcome the points gained.