SWD take the cup, but it's Stanton's year
by Mark Simmerson, 4th September 2006

Sunday at Olive Grove Road saw Calver take on SWD in the League KO Cup final. On a funereally slow pitch, Works reached a useful 149-8 from their allotted 40 overs (Lee Stewart 49). Calver were in the game until skipper Dougie Howie was run out, then they folded to 79 all out, Lee Stewart spinning out 3-13 to take the Man of the Match award.

But in the League itself, this season started in rain and ended the same way. The biggest losers from last Saturday’s dousing were Sheffield Centralians, who had to win at Calver to stay in Division One. Rain meant relegation to Division Two along with Millhouses. SWD were worthy runners up to the undoubted team of the year Stanton.

University Staff were Division Two champions and also promoted were Sheffield Collegiate III, easily the best two teams in the Division. Dronfield Woodhouse and Sheffield Centralians II went down. Altogether a forgettable summer for Cents - let’s hope they quickly return to winning ways.

Division Three champs Ridgeway actually played last weekend, setting Millhouses II 158 all out to chase. Millhouses II reached the target, but only just having nine wickets down when winning runs were made. Second spot went to Walkley. Both teams should go well in Division Two next term. All the possible permutations at the bottom came to a soggy end, with Sheffield Transport joining Stocksbridge II in Division Four.

Whittington Wanderers II are Division Four champions, but the game of the day would have been between Sheffield Zingari and Sheepbridge II with the winners going up. Sadly it wasn’t to be and Sheepbridge II went up without a ball being bowled. A quick - and not dishonourable - mention to the very youthful Stocksbridge III, who might have picked up the wooden spoon, but did enjoy a couple of excellent wins.

That’s all for this summer, a real curates egg of a season. However it will long be remembered as Stanton’s year. Cheers, Mark.