Division four promotion race gets more intriguing
by David Bell, 26th July 2003

The Division Four promotion race grew ever more intriguing with some interesting results over the weekend. The most bizarre result occurred at Duckmanton Lodge where BT Pensions / AGD II were looking to do their first team a favour against leaders Richland Wanderers.

The Wanderers posted a reasonable 189-4 (Chris Bell 71 no, John Needham 50) but failed to find their way through a stonewalling Pensions side, who closed on just 33-3 from their 46 overs with opener Mark Calvert carrying his bat for just two runs. Pensions first string failed to gain any ground, however, being held to a draw away at Coal Aston.

Batting first, Pensions made 147-8 and saw Coal Aston hold out at 117-9 (B.Hemstalk 42). Second placed Ridgeway gained victory at Zingari and closed the gap on Richland to just four points. Zingari scored 121-9 (Evans 6-57), which Ridgeway passed with three wickets in hand (Ward 4-41). Fourth placed Baslow II were bowled out for 160 (Tony Sadler 49, Mick Booker 43, Mick Smith 4-58) by bottom side Calow II. who crumbled for just 29 (Rob Novelli 4-10).

Great Longstone continued their improvement by dismissing Stocksbridge III for 124 (A.Siddall 47, R.Finney 5-28) and edging to a two wicket win (R.Finney 56 no). Chesterfield Barbarians II were bowled out for 84 (Cotterill 4-29, Lewis 5-40) by Transport, who eased to a five wicket victory.

Hundall continue to dominate proceedings in Division One. They declared at 237-6 (Oldman 56, Pitcher 80, Weedman 4-82) against Old Edwardians / Collegiate, who succumbed for 122 to the spin of Graham Badcock (5-25). The battle for the minor places continues below Hundall with Stanton In Peak assuming second place this week. Stanton dismissed struggling Dronfield Woodhouse for just 55 (Walker 4-40, Clark 6-12) and gained a six wicket win.

University Staff continued their resurgence with victory over Parkhead. Parkhead were bowled out for 141 (Hayes 52, Walker 4-23) and Dave Needham (57) guided Staff to a six wicket triumph and into third place. Mid-table De La Salle and Baslow cancelled each other out in a drawn match. De La Salle were bowled out for 111 with Michael Clegg claiming yet another five wicket haul, this time for 28 runs. Baslow just held out at 100-9 with Heath (4-28) and White (4-33) being the chief destroyers.

At the lower end of the table, Stocksbridge gained a vital win over Hathersage. Kelly took 6-52 to dismiss Hathersage for just 92 and allow his side a five wicket success. Third bottom Sheffield Works Department notched up a useful 207-7 (Ian Lake 73 no) but couldn't dismiss Centralians, who closed on 138-6 despite 4-46 from slow left armer Lee Stewart.

Holmesfield's winning draw at Millhouses was enough to maintain their top place in Division Two. Holmesfield were sent back for 153 (Jim Pearson 90, Ian Knowles 4-25) as Millhouses closed on 124-9 (Rehman 44). Second placed Ashford managed a comfortable win over Sheffield Works Department II. Works posted 147 (D.Franklin 75 no, P.Foster 4-24), which Ashford passed with eight wickets in hand (A.Paulett 64 no, S.Davies 51).

Third placed Grindleford made it home with just eight balls to spare against Parkhead II. Outram made 42 to see Grindleford to the win with eight wickets down after Parkhead had earlier made 130-9 (J.S.Outram 6-37). Chesterfield Barbarians posted the highest team score of the season on their way to a winning draw over Old Edwardians / Collegiate II. Denby (100), Nelis (60) and Sharman (76) saw the Barbs rattle up 309-5, to which Old Eds replied with 109-9 (Paul Daniels 4-23).

Division Three leaders Calver crumbled to a second defeat in as many weeks, this time against Hundall II. Calver were turned over for 120 as Russ Parker (63) and Ian Bayston (41 no) guided the visitors to an eight wicket victory. Lowly Dronfield Sports II made a challenging 191 (Raja 79, Kennedy 4-47) but still fell to a five wicket loss against second placed Centralians II (Schofield 85 no, Helliwell 61 no).

Hathersage II move into third with a convincing nine wicket win over Calow (Buxton 49), who had earlier been bowled out for 126 (Percival 5-4). Bottom club Millhouses II gained a first win of the season with an impressive 201-8 (Walch 51) against Dronfield Woodhouse II, who were sent back for 125. Laycocks managed to dismiss University Staff II for 140 (Franklin 50, Ali 40, Scanlan 4-56) and win with six wickets to spare.