Coal Aston III finally get under way
by Mark Simmerson, 5th June 2006

At last! Weather befitting the cricket season! Deep joy at Coal Aston III at actually playing a game was tempered when they were sent back by Division Four leaders Sheepbridge II for 120 (Sanderson 52, Bramwell 4-30, Straw 4-32). Bramwell then hit an undefeated 55 as Sheepbridge II won by four wickets.

University Staff II made 162-9 and bowled out Chesterfield Barbarians II for 95 (Fletcher 64, Miah 6-30). Despite this, Chesterfield Barbarians II stay second. Dronfield Sports II ran up 181-4 (Barrett 54, B.Croft 43), Sheffield Zingari attained with five wickets down. At Stocksbridge III , opener Newton carried his bat 110 not out in an innings total of 155-8. Baslow II appeared to have this well within their compass, but Billy Green snaffled 4-8 and Baslow II were all out for 155 to produce the first tie of the summer.

The top fixture in Division Two was Sheffield Collegiate III visiting University Staff, both sides looking to return to Division One. Batting first University Staff scored 211-4, with Paul Kerry hitting another ton, this time 104. Ash made 52, but Sheffield Collegiate III were kept down to 176-7. Newly promoted Sheepbridge chased the 162 set up Baslow (Ewin 64, Hullett 5-43), losing only two wickets (Whitehead 56, Hullett 46*). Sheepbridge II are now second, well behind University Staff, but just ahead of a resurgent Chesterfield Barbarians. Barbs smote 248-7 with Denby’s hard hitting 112 and 50 from Latter. Sheffield Centralians II folded, Daniels 5-13 and Sharman 5-31, seeing Cents all out for just 50.

Bakewell made 122 against accurate DLS II bowling, DLS II holding their nerve to win by five wickets (Reed 4-60) and leave the bottom of the table. SWD II scored 214-5 (Barker 76, J.Summerhill 74), Dronfield Woodhouse closing way short at 124-9 (Lander 41*). On Sunday Parkhead II racked up 219, Andy Reichwald out agonisingly for 99. Swain took 4-18 as Sheffield Centralians II were 91 all out.

Continuing the topsy-turvy summer in Division One, leaders Stanton went to Parkhead who made 292-5 (Helliwell 81, Brown 62, Davis 52). Stanton were all out for 128 (Altaf 5-28). On Sunday Parkhead powered to 313-5 lead by Ed Bowers with 124 not out (Helliwell 47, Altaf 43). In reply Sheffield Centralians reached 153 (Foster 47, Gilson 4-29, Altaf 4-34). At Olive Grove Road Hundall scored a steady 186 (Marsh 43, N.Vaughan 42, R.Khan 4-23). SWD were dismissed for 144 (C.Pursehouse 4-41, Cartwright 4-51). Despite this, SWD return to the top of the table.

De La Salle made 203-6 (Hartley 72, Salvadori-Paleotti 55*). Ashford, lead by 54 from J.Wilson got very close, ending at 190 with the last pair at the crease. Hathersage scored 169-6 (R.Percival 59, R.Wainwright 4-67), but steady batting from Sheffield Centralians took them to a four wicket win (D.Stowe 48). Calver reached 144 (D.Ward 6-31), in response Holmesfield raced to 77-0 inside 20 overs but the dismissal of Turner for 52 sparked a remarkable collapse to 99 all out (S.Hallows 5-28, Howie 4-21). At Millhouses the home team managed just 77 (Siddall 6-30), Stocksbridge passed the target with three wickets down (Codd 55*).

In Division Three Sheffield Collegiate V are well clear at the head of the table after racking up 245-3 (Griffiths 119*, W.Root 65). Wily veteran slow bowler Andy Leiper then snared seven Stocksbridge II batters for 36 as Stocksbridge II were out for 173 (Price 77). Whittington Wanderers made 196-7, with K.Tann smacking 81 and Fletcher 43. Hundall II were shot out for 59 (Brocklehurst 4-27). Hallam III reached 186-7 (Boyd 60, Woodhead 4-34), Ridgeway passed this with six down (Woodhead 83, Roberts 40*). Veteran John Esberger took 5-28 for Millhouses II to rout Sheffield Transport for 50. Millhouses II going on to a seven wicket win. Hathersage II were all out for 104 (Frith 7-27) and Walkley openers knocked this off (Birch 69).