De La Salle race to victory over front runners
by David Bell, 7th June2004

In one of the most closely fought title races for years, De La Salle are the new leaders of Division One. They restricted former front runners Holmesfield to 143-9 and then raced to an eight wicket victory (Bulmer 54 no). They hold a slender nine point advantage over Old Edwardians / Collegiate, who gained the upper hand in a drawn game against third placed Centralians. Old Eds compiled 186-8 (Matt Root 77) and put the brakes on the Centralians reply at 110-8 (Chris Street 4-53).

Hathersage were humbled for just 51 by Stanton, who claimed an emphatic ten wicket win. Bottom side Baslow struggled again, making just 87 (R.Ghose 4-28) against Parkhead, who triumphed by six wickets. It was equally tough for second bottom Ashford, who could only manage 95 (Sajid Khan 4-42, Dave Needham 5-22) against University Staff, who reached the target with five men in hand (Charlie Ellis 50 no). Dave Marsh (106 no) steered Hundall to 224-5. SWD could only manage 143 in reply (Lee Stewart 44).

Calver have opened up a thirty five point gap at the top of Division Two. They worked their way to 168-9 (T.Hilton 44, R.Peach 6-51) at home to Bakewell. Jim Mundy returned seasons-best figures of 9-15 to skittle the visitors for 93. Parkhead II posted 153-9 (Dave Sanderson 49) against second placed Chesterfield Barbarians, who were bowled out in a nail biting finish for 149 (Ian Spilman 4-43). Grindleford move into third after completing a five wicket win over SWD II, who were earlier dismissed for 116 (M.Spittlehouse 4-33). Millhouses registered an impressive 217-7 (Gaubert 67, Akeel 48, Kelly 4-78) against Stocksbridge I, who fell short at 166 (Price 46, Siddall 56, Mumtaz 6-59) in reply. Bottom side Hathersage II showed an improvement with 171-9 (Ben Drury 59, Richard Marshall 4-48) at home to fellow strugglers Stocksbridge II. Stocksbridge replied with 102-8.

BT Pensions / AGD showed a return to form with a sizeable winning draw to stay at the top of Division Three. Pensions declared at 206-4 (Nick Calvert 50, Alan Shawcroft 50, Jamie Horton 66 no) only to see University Staff II cling on at 66-6. Laycocks bowled out Old Edwardians / Collegiate II for just 63 (Mick Rowntree 6-28, Mark Scanlan 4-31) and moved into second with a seven wicket success (Jamie Jewitt 42 no). Centralians II sent back fellow chasers De La Salle II for 128 (Adam Green 4-29) and claimed third spot with a three wicket win (Paul Kennedy 72, Paul Lally 4-39).

Calow moved off the bottom of the table in a tense finish against Richland Wanderers. Calow scored 111-7 (Paul Scarborough 44 no, Steve Brocklehurst 4-40). Mick Pashley (46) looked to have guided Richland to victory but a triple wicket maiden from John Johnson (6-23) in the final over secured the winning draw for Calow as the visitors closed on 109-8. Hundall II were dismissed for 112 (David Drew 4-19) by Dronfield Woodhouse, who passed the winning post for the loss of three men (David Drew 54 no, Steve Vessey 43 no).

In Division Four, Chesterfield Barbarians II dismissed Great Longstone for 94 and claimed a seven wicket win thanks to Julian Wall (68 no) to move into third place. Elsewhere, Coal Aston were restricted to 120 by Ridgeway, who posted a five wicket success (Dann 60). BT Pensions / AGD II were bowled out for 95 by Stocksbridge III, who made it home for the loss of two men.

In the Knockout Cup first round, University Staff rattled up a massive 342-7 (Dave Needham 69, Paul Kerry 138, Jon Hibbert 64) at Richland Wanderers. The Wanderers were bowled out for 150 (Andy Tann 72). Hathersage made 134-8 at Old Edwardians / Collegiate, who lost only one wicket in reaching their target (Matt Root 67 no).