Ashford In The Water secure promotion spot
by David Bell, 2nd September 2003.

Ashford In The Water secured promotion to the top flight of the Yorkshire & Derbyshire League with victory over Millhouses in Division Two. Ashford were dismissed for 125 (S.Mumtaz 8-44) but Millhouses crumbled for just 71 (Marsden 5-22) to see the Derbyshire side claim the second promotion place.

Rivals Grindleford saw their chance slip away with defeat against Chesterfield Barbarians. The Barbs posted a healthy 201 (Skelton 5-51) to which Grindleford could only reply with 72. Division Two Champions Holmesfield ended their league season in fine form with 204-9 (Dave Ward 49, James Pearson 43) and bowled Bakewell out for 113.

Sheffield Works Department II made 188-8 (Carrick 4-31) against bottom team Old Edwardians / Collegiate II, who replied with 109 (Rogers 5-33). Relegated Stocksbridge II scored 124-6, which was passed by Parkhead II with eight wickets in hand (Ian Gregory 43 no).

Calver confirmed their place in Division Two for 2004 with victory over fellow challengers Laycocks. Lloyd (6-22) helped to bowl Laycocks out for 126 in reply to Calver's competent total of 163-7. Laycocks now face an anxious wait to see if Hathersage II or Centralians II can overhaul their current second place.

Elsewhere in Division Three, De La Salle II registered an impressive 232-1 declared (H.Finnegan 115 no, T.George 65 no) and sent back University Staff II for 88 (Simon Burton 5-12). Calow posted 128-9 (J.Pratt 5-34) at already-relegated Dronfield Sports II, who were sent back for 118 (Raja 58, Atkin 5-17, Johnson 4-9). Dronfield Woodhouse II made 126-7 (M.Flack 43 no, P.Gibson 4-75) and bowled Hundall II out for 114 (John Bridgett 4-17).

The Division Four promotion race took yet another twist on Saturday. BT Pensions / AGD I hit the top spot by virtue of beating previous leaders Ridgeway. Pensions made 153-9 (Jamie Horton 73, Peter Burke 7-88) and bowled Ridgeway out for 72, which sees them slide to third. Pensions have a twelve point advantage over Richland Wanderers, who returned to second place with victory over Zingari. Richland declared at 246-2 (Andy Tann 139 no, Dave Bell 43, Mick Pashley 43) and dismissed Zingari for 121 despite a classy 76 not out from Rupra. Just nineteen points separates the top three as they head into next weekends final fixtures.

Calow II are the 2003 wooden-spoonists. Transport scored 143 (Younis 56 no, Simms 5-14, Smith 4-59) and bowled the young North Derbyshire side out for 126 (Pemberton 58 no). Baslow II passed Stocksbridge III's 167 (D.Redwood 42 no, B.Murfin 4-15) with seven wickets down (P.Klewzyc 60, T.Sadler 64). Phil Adamson took 7-25 to bowl Chesterfield Barbarians II out for 112 and Ron Endersby was unbeaten on 44 as BT Pensions / AGD II reached their target with two wickets to spare. Great Longstone made 94 (R.Podmore 4-17) away at Coal Aston, who ran out winners by seven wickets.

Stocksbridge had their relegation from Division One confirmed on Saturday. They were bowled out for 129 (Malcolm Perry 55) at home to Sheffield Works Department, who claimed a three wicket win (John Woods 60, Terry Lyles 4-22). Stanton In Peak moved back into second place with victory over Centralians. Centralians made 100-8 (Marshall 56, D.Rosling 5-40) but Nick Rosling's 57 not out guided Stanton home by eight wickets.

De La Salle scored 188-8 in reply to University Staff's 196-3, which contained 104 not out from Paul Kerry. Champions Hundall registered 176-5 and managed to bowl out Dronfield Woodhouse just five runs short (R.Barnsley 43, B.Cox 5-63). Junaid hit 114 as Parkhead passed Old Edwardians / Collegiate's total of 154-7 (P.Hardy 52) with only two men down. Hathersage were bowled out for 135 (J.Woolway 51, M.Clegg 5-44, Campbell 4-24) by Baslow, who gained a one wicket win (Sylvester 63, J.Woolway 4-41.