Imposing BT Pensions top 100 points
by David Bell, 25th May 2004

BT Pensions of Division Three are the first side to 100 points this season. They maintained their position at the top of the table with an imposing 182-8 (Jamie Horton 49) against Old Edwardians / Collegiate II. They dismissed the Abbeydale Park outfit for 103 to keep a fifteen point difference over second placed De La Salle II.

De La Salle had their own success at the weekend, posting 127-9 at Calow. Paul Lally claimed a remarkable 8-33 to see Calow sent back for just 69. Third placed Laycocks remain in the hunt following victory over Dronfield Woodhouse.

Woodhouse were bowled out for 127 (Joe Mohaman 5-47) which Laycocks crept past with one wicket in hand thanks to Mick Rowntree (60 no). For Woodhouse, Simon Turner claimed 5-47. Elsewhere, Richland Wanderers were dismissed for 108 by Centralians II, who gained a two wicket win despite the efforts of Mark Wilmott (5-38). Hundall II made 132 (T.Gray 4-33) at University Staff II, who were bowled out just short for 128 (A.Shaw 7-52).

Holmesfield keep a slender lead at the top of Division One, despite defeat at the hands of Old Edwardians / Collegiate. Collegiate scored 145-8 (Chris Street 44) and bowled out the leaders for 132 (Jimmy Pearson 56), with Street capping a fine performance by taking 6-59. Second placed De La Salle took the greater points in a high scoring draw against University Staff. De La Salle registered 226-9 (Hartley 41, Needham 4-71, Fairburn 5-48) and saw Staff close on 183-7 (Ellis 80 no).

Another high scoring drawn affair took place at Parkhead, where Centralians made 247-3 (Baker 75, Marshall 132 no). Parkhead held out at 206-7 (Gilson 53). Ashford In The Water posted 166 (Andrew Paulett 95, Barrie Cox 6-28) against Hundall, who completed a resounding nine wicket win (Graham Badcock 51, Martin Dawson 62 no). Sheffield Works Department rattled up 209-7 (John Woods 48, Brad Sampson 45 no) at Stanton In Peak, but couldn't find a way past Nick Rosling (100 no) as Stanton held out at 184-7.

Calver hold on to top spot in Division Two but had to settle for the lesser points in a drawn game against Stocksbridge I. Stocksbridge scored 203-8 (Wayne Lazenby 63) as Calver were guided to safety at 140-6 by Tom Hilton (56 no). Second placed Chesterfield Barbarians gained a six wicket win (Daniels 77 no, Neil 40 no) over SWD II, who had earlier been guided to a competitive 188-3 by Andy Marples (102 no).

Tony Rolfe (42) steered Stocksbridge II to 134-7, who went down to a ten wicket defeat against Grindleford (James Marshall 87 no). Bakewell compiled 199-4 (Fearn 73 no, Peach 64 no) and turned over Millhouses for 106 (Worsencroft 4-23, Peach 4-39). On a day of many draws, Parkhead II posted 154-8 (Smith 4-48) and saw Hathersage II reach 111-8.

Zingari continue to top Division Four. They restricted BT Pensions / AGD II to 99-8 (Rick Able 50 no, Anoop Soni 4-22), which they passed with three wickets to spare (Phil Adamson 4-28). Second placed Coal Aston devastated Great Longstone for just 54, before claiming a ten wicket success. Dronfield Sports were bowled out for just 73 (Cuckson 7-26) by third placed Millhouses II, who won by eight wickets.

Stocksbridge III made only 48 against Baslow II, who ran out winners by seven wickets. The exception to the low scoring pattern came at Ridgeway, where Transport amassed 276-4 (Gul 74, Kadir 82 no, Barber 55). The home side replied with 189-6 (Woodhead 80).