Hundall are 2003 Yorkshire and Derbyshire League champions
by David Bell, 27th August 2003

Hundall are the 2003 Yorkshire & Derbyshire League Division One Champions. Victory over Centralians on Saturday saw the North Derbyshire side to their sixth successive title.

Alan Hampshire (98) and skipper Jason Pitcher (43 no) guided Hundall to an impressive 242-5. Graham Badcock then claimed 5-82 to dismiss Cents for 124 (Marshall 40). On Bank Holiday Monday, the champions scored 154-9 (Keeley 47, Dawson 42, Hutchinson 4-45) at Hathersage, who crumbled to 61 all out (Yardy 5-11). Hundall now have a massive 116 point lead at the top with two games still to play.

At the bottom end of the table, Dronfield Woodhouse finally had their relegation confirmed. On Saturday, they made 173 (A.Hibbert 5-47) at Stocksbridge and gained victory by bowling the home side out for 156 (S.Perry 46, R.Parker 4-26). A forfeited match on Monday against Sheffield Works Department, however, sealed their fate.

Stocksbridge require a miracle to escape relegation to Division Two. An unbeaten 100 from Dave Needham guided University Staff past Stocksbridge's 154-9 on Monday to leave the Bracken Moor club needing to win both their remaining games with Old Edwardians / Collegiate and Centralians gaining less than four points from theirs.

De La Salle lead the battle for the runners up spot in the top flight. On Saturday they bowled Hathersage out for 85 and gained a four wicket win. On Monday, they cemented their position by making 220-8 against Parkhead, who replied with 212-8. Stanton In Peak fell to third over the weekend. On Saturday, they made 175-5 (Gladwin 58) at University Staff, who held out for the draw at 166-8 (Kerry 66, Walker 5-52). On Monday, they were skittled for 85 (Michael Clegg 4-40) at Baslow, who were steered home by Simon Westwell (53 no) for the loss of two men.

Baslow also suffered mixed fortunes over the weekend, registering 158-6 (Sadler 58 no) against Old Edwardians / Collegiate on Saturday, who ran out winners by seven wickets (Webster 42, Bellamy 52 no). Centralians scored 181-2 (Schofield 82 no, Stowe 54 no) at Abbeydale Park against Old Eds, who reached the draw at 157-9 thanks to 12 year old Joe Root (35). SWD passed Parkhead's 172-9 with eight wickets to spare with Richard Everitt hitting 80 not out.

Holmesfield confirmed their Division Two title in convincing fashion. They bowled Stocksbridge II out for 141 (Peter Westwood 4-26) and knocked off the runs without loss (Neil Pearson 48 no, Tom Hamilton 81 no). The result also condemned Stocksbridge to Division Three next year. The battle for the second promotion place grew ever more intriguing. Ashford In the Water were restricted to 100-7, which was surpassed by third placed Grindleford with four wickets in hand. Next weekend's final Division Two fixtures will decide which side is promoted.

Chesterfield Barbarians demolished Bakewell for just 40 (Paul Sharman 5-26) and raced to an eight wicket win. Millhouses posted 268-6 (Dunkley 104, Rehman 43, Akeel 51) at Old Eds / Collegiate II, who were bowled out for 104 (Akeel 4-17). SWD II ensured their safety by posting 149-8 and bowling Parkhead II out for 97 (John Esberger 4-9).

Laycocks head a very tight Division Three. On Monday, they scored 142-8 (R.Wainwright 63, S.Wainwright 5-34) at De La Salle, who were sent back for 111 (Joe Mohaman 4-18). Calver fell to second place but retain a game in hand on the leaders. They were rolled over for 51 (Kennedy 6-28, Wood 4-12) by Centralians II, who kept in the race with a seven wicket win (Helliwell 46 no). Hathersage II fall to third place. On Saturday they were bowled out for 117 by De La Salle (Paul Lally 5-26), who in turn were dismissed for 105 (Kevn Rowney 7-41). On Monday they reached 190-7 in reply to Hundall II 262-6 declared. Dronfield Woodhouse II were sent back for 112 (P.Scarborough 4-36, T.Poole 4-10) by Calow, who reached safety with a four wicket win (T.Poole 44). Millhouses II and Dronfield Sports II are now relegated to Division Four.

The Division Four promotion issues are also still in the balance. Leaders Ridgeway bowled Transport out for 159 (Harinath 52, Burke 7-23) and gained a five wicket win (McLoughlin 51). BT Pensions / AGD I climbed into second place with victory over previous leaders Richland Wanderers. Paul Ramsdale took 7-34 to dismiss Richland for just 77 and help his side to a four wicket win. Pensions cemented their second place by bowling out their own second string for 74 (Mark Hill 4-13, Jamie Horton 4-26) and gaining a nine wicket success on Monday.

Richland maintained an outside chance of promotion by bowling out Stocksbridge III for 137 (Mick Pashley 5-30) on Monday and creeping to a one wicket win (Tom Wright 74 no, Geoff Gosling 7-45). Calow II gained their first win of the season by passing Stocksbridge's 155 (Chapman 61, Smith 6-44) with eight wickets in hand (Devine 92 no). Unfortunately, they were dismissed for 93 on Monday in pursuit of Chesterfield Barbarians II 236 ao (Barton 99, Denby 47, Paulson 5-89, Simms 4-42). The Barbs suffered their own defeat on Saturday. Coal Aston made 126-9 (J.Wall 5-21) and sent back the Chesterfield team for 73 (A.Wood 6-11). Zingari were bowled out for 87 at Great Longstone, who themselves were dismissed three runs short of a win.