There were mixed fortunes for Division One leaders Sheffield Works Department over the weekend but they continue to hold a forty six point lead over the rest of the field. On Saturday, they suffered only their second defeat of the season at home to Collegiate. A typically robust 209-7 (J.Woods 49) was passed by the visitors for the loss of only three men (R.Naik 78).

Works fared better on Sunday by defeating fellow challengers Ashford In the Water on their travels. Glen Brown (60no) gained the batting plaudits as the visitors compiled 167-9 (Michael Clegg 7-55). Rittu Ghose (6-61) saw Ashford pegged back to 126-9. Ashford had a successful start to the weekend with 260-4 (Mark Kerr 126no, Andrew Paulett 56, Julian Henson 43) at home to second placed Parkhead. The visitors made a decent fist of the reply but closed out on 182-9 (Sean Hayes 41, Jon Gilson 73, Michael Clegg 4-53, John Carrington 5-64).

Also back into the frame come Hundall. They bowled Calver out for 81 (Graeme Badcock 5-10) and achieved a five wicket success. Holmesfield notched up a decent 187-8 (J.Pearson 63, R.Butler 42) and saw off Hathersage for 131. Anthony Gladwin (5-71) managed to restrict Centralians to 146-8 and followed up with 87 to see Stanton In Peak to an eight wicket win (Dave Hadfield 43).

Millhouses hold the lead of Division Two for the second week running. Andy Lock (49) and Akeel Sarwar (57) were the mainstays of the large total of 263-7 and saw Dan Searle (7-33) skittle struggling Hathersage II for just 64. In a low scoring affair, University Staff made 124-6 (Dave Needham 74) but managed to replace Bakewell in second spot after they managed only 88-7.

Long time leaders Stocksbridge were bowled out for 125 (M.Taylor 4-46) which Baslow passed with six men in hand. Andy Keywood (4-27) helped to peg Stocksbridge second string down to 103-7 and allow Parkhead II to a comfortable eight wicket win (Phil Tomlinson 48). Sheffield Works Department II could only muster 64 (Simon Buchan 4-31) away at Grindleford, who ran out ten wicket winners thanks to John Outram (40no). Dronfield Woodhouse were bowled out for 100 exactly (Simon Statham 5-29). Centralians II replied with 101-3 (Paul Kennedy 46no).

De La Salle II still have the upper hand in Division Three. Their 121-9 proved to be enough at Millhouses as the home side were dismissed for 101 in return. Second placed Sheepbridge were allowed the luxury of declaring on 204-6 (Matt Rogers 48) at home to Coal Aston, who crept to 121-9 (Matt Sanderson 55) in reply. Transport devastated Collegiate for just 38 (Phil Cotterill 4-21, Noor Gul 6-14) and romped to a nine wicket win. Steve Brocklehurst (5-40) saw University Staff II back in the pavilion for 93 as Richland Wanderers completed a two wicket win, despite 5-27 from Ashfaq Lone. Ridgeway were bowled out for 165 (Jason McLoughlin 47, Paul Gibson 4-56). Hundall were 92-4 (Adam Shaw 41no) when rain caused the abandonment of the game.

Leaders Walkley benefitted from a forfeited game by Dronfield Sports in Division Four. Challengers Hallam were dismissed for 158 chasing Zingari's 191-5 (Rikki Makkar 92, Will Lobo 4-30). Third placed Sheepbridge II did a demolition job on bottom side Chesterfield Barbarians II. Clive Howells (4-19) saw the Barbs all out for just 50, allowing their local rivals to a nine wicket triumph. A Dave Turner (6-15) hat-trick restricted Stocksbridge III to just 66 (Dave Whiteley 4-23) and resulted in a nine wicket success for Richland Wanderers II (Paul Fletcher 46no).