Weather decimates Y&DL programme
by David Bell, 17th May 2003

Weather decimated the weekend programme with only one game reaching a conclusion and six others barely getting started. The one completed fixture took place at Holmesfield in Division Two, where the home side were bowled out for 102 by Ashford In The Water. In reply, Ashford slumped to 31-9 but held on for the draw, closing on 76-9. Peter Westwood continued his good early season form by taking 5-34 for Holmesfield despite the steady rain.

At Millhouses, the match was abandoned with the home side on 20-3 after they had restricted Stocksbridge II to a miserly 85-7. Chesterfield Barbarians had Sheffield Works Department in trouble at 36-6 before their abandonment and just seven overs were managed in the game between Parkhead II and Old Edwardians / Collegiate II, with Old Eds on 7-1. On Saturday, Old Eds travel to leaders Grindleford with second placed Holmesfield making the journey to Parkhead.

Only one game saw any play in Division One. Stocksbridge reached 95-9 against Baslow before the rain intervened. Division leaders and five time champions Hundall face a tough weekend, meeting second placed Stanton In Peak on Saturday and last years third placed side University Staff on Bank Holiday Monday. Staff host current challengers Hathersage on Saturday as Stanton complete a taxing weekend by entertaining last year's runners up Sheffield Works Department.

The entire Division Three programme was lost to the weather last weekend. Joe Mohaman's Laycocks side will be looking to strengthen their position at the top of the table as they take on Dronfield Woodhouse II at Davy Sports Club on Sunday. Second placed Hundall II face away trips to Millhouses II on Saturday and University Staff II on Monday. Calow will look to keep in the hunt with games at home to Centralians II and away against De La Salle II.

Two matches started but, inevitably, failed to finish in Division Four. Calow II made 49-1 at home to Richland Wanderers and leaders Ridgeway were 43-4 against Chesterfield Barbarians II before rain called a halt to proceedings. Ridgeway entertain second placed Richland on Saturday before travelling to Coal Aston for Monday's fixture. Richland make the short journey up the Dronfield bypass to Meadowhead to face Transport in their Monday game.