The early season weather has allowed a three way tie to open up at the top of the First Division. Leaders Sheffield Works Department were left to curse the elements as rain forced the abandonment of their game at Sheffield Collegiate. Collegiate had posted a challenging 186-8 with Adam Neylon (76) and Danny Dunn (49) proving to be the mainstays of the innings. Works came agonisingly close at 173-7 (Richard Everitt 83, John Woods 44) but the deepening gloom forced the players from the field.

Calver defeated defending champions Hundall to claim their share of the lead. They were restricted to 119-8 but bounced back to see the title holders in the pavilion for just 83. Centralians make the third part of the equation. They bowled Stanton In Peak out for just 85 (Roger Wainwright 6-13) to gain a five wicket win.

De La Salle have recovered from a slow start to make moves up the table. Matt Green's 55 not out saw his team to 174-8 against Chesterfield Barbarians, who subsided for just 50 with Sam Wainwright taking 5-25. Parkhead compiled 225-7 at home to Ashford In The Water, who replied with 141-1 before the rain brought an end to proceedings. It was a similar story at Hathersage, where the home side made 201-6 (Roger Stanworth 43, Phil Burnip 47) and had Holmesfield in trouble at 59-4 before the weather intervened.

The weather also dominated events in Division Two but allowed the status quo to prevail. Grindleford rattled up 198-7 (Tom Skelton 51, James Marshall 49, Ollie Brown 54) at leaders SWD II, who were nicely poised at 175-6 (Matt Summerhill 53) when the heavens opened. The battle of two of the highly fancied sides in the division was also interupted. Stocksbridge made an imposing 216-9 (David Codd 51) away at Baslow, who were 37-1 before stumps were drawn.

A completed game allowed Millhouses to claim a share of second place. They bowled Hathersage II out for 101 (Simon Loseby 45, Azhar Khan 4-10) and were guided home by Tim Gaubert (51) with four wickets down. It was good news too for Bakewell, who registered 204-4 (Jeff Madin 66, James Luckraft 62) at home to University Staff. Staff fell short at 174-9 (Dave Needham 69) in reply.

Parkhead II made the day's highest score with 247-7 (Vinall 78, Turner 43no) away at Stocksbridge II, who fell short by some margin, closing on 130-5. Paul Kennedy claimed 5-37 to restrict Dronfield Woodhouse to 162-8 but saw his Centralians II side frustrated by the rain with the score on 79-3.

The lower divisions fared better than the top two with all their matches being fully completed. Ridgeway hold the lead in Division Three on number of outright wins. Peter Burke took 5-22 to dismiss Hundall II for 162 despite a fighting 77 from Ian Bayston. Geoff Woodhead (96) and Jason McLoughlin (46no) then blasted Ridgeway to the top of the table with victory by nine wickets. On the same number of points are league newcomers Sheepbridge. Ben Chambers (4-33) saw Coal Aston pegged back to 142-8, which Sheepbridge passed with five men to spare (Andrew Hulett 41).

Tom Wainwright (4-25) put Millhouses II back in the pavilion for just 67 and allowed De La Salle II to gain a six wicket success and third place to boot. Previous leaders University Staff II suffered defeat at the hands of Richland Wanderers. The Wanderers posted a competitive 190-7 thanks to skipper Andy Tann (60) and Andy Robson (40). Steve Brocklehurst took 4-25 to see the University men sent back for just 87.

Sheepbridge II are looking to emulate the success of their first team and currently head the Division Four standings. They bowled Chesterfield Barbarians II out for 118 and gained a five wicket win. Just one point behind are Hallam. Andy Clarke (6-21) devastated Zingari for just 61 as his side raced to a seven wicket triumph. Richland Wanderers II registered back to back victories. They dismissed Stocksbridge III for 105 (Dave Whiteley 4-26) and made it home with five men to spare thanks to Chris Julian (42no). Tony Frith (5-37) saw Dronfield Sports humbled for just 74 as Walkley claimed a ten wicket victory at home.