Calver cruise into final battle with SWD
by Mark Simmerson, 8th August 2006

The Knockout Cup finalists this year will be SWD and Calver. Calver cruised past Sheepbridge, knocking up 256-7 (T.Hilton 78, J.Mundy 73*) and shot out their opponents for 93. Holmesfield set Works 148 to chase and fought tooth and nail all the way. Finally, with two wickets in hand and two balls remaining, Wake’s undefeated half century secured the final spot for SWD.

On Saturday, Division One defending champions SWD travelled to Beauchief knowing that they had to win to stay in touch with Stanton. Batting first, Works made a creditable 169-9 (C.Sampson 46). In reply, whilst Sam Wainwright was at the crease, De La Salle were on track. However, his dismissal for 58 allow Rafaqat Khan to run through DLS, finishing with 7-54 as De La Salle were all out for 159.

Meanwhile at Ashford, Stanton made a solid 204-6 (D.Rosling 85, D.Hadfield 45). Then J.Henson (60) and A.Finney (55*) steered the home side to narrow two wicket win. The gap between Stanton and Works is now 17 points - and these two meet at Olive Grove Road this Saturday. The title will surely belong to either of the top two as Hundall were beaten by Hathersage last weekend. Set 197-7 for victory, (M.Dawson 55, N.Somerton 5-80), Hathersage were cruising at 180-5 (J.Woolway 76, S.Loseby 50). Then Chris Pursehouse took a hat-trick - 180-8. But the ninth wicket pair held their nerve and victory came in the penultimate over without further loss (C.Pursehouse 5-55).

In the basement battle at Calver, Millhouses hit 201 (A.Sarwan 49, R.Dewsbury 44, I.Hallows 4-33). Tom Hilton’s 72 helped Calver ease to an eight wicket win and relative safety. Poor Millhouses, plumb bottom and to add injury to insult - their pavilion has been burnt down. Holmesfield made 197-9 (N.Pearson 72) and bowled out struggling Sheffield Centralians for 157 (D.Stow 59, A.Green 44, A.Holmes 5-23, D.Ward 4-45). Parkhead were all out for 137 (A.Hibbert 4-30), which Stocksbridge passed with seven down.

The big game in Division Two was at third placed Sheepbridge who entertained leaders University Staff. Staff scored 189-8 (P.Kerry 61, Atkin 4-26) and Sheepbridge fell for 170 (Henshaw 82, A.Lone 4-26). At Abbeydale, bottom team Sheffield Centralians II were routed - 21 all out (J.Lomas 5-4). Sheffield Collegiate III went onto a ten wicket win. The match lasted less than an hour.

Staff and Collegiate are seemingly promoted in all but name now. De La Salle II did their chances for Division Two survival a power of good by winning at SWD II. Nick Howard took 6-42 as the home team were 83 all out, then ’Spanish’ Matt Green hit 42 in an eight wicket win. Chesterfield Barbarians totalled 141 (Turner 8-44) and held Dronfield Woodhouse to 107-9 (C.Bradbury 4-21). Baslow hit 207 (Herbstritt 65), which Parkhead II made light of the target to win by six wickets (Gopal 69, Vinall 46, Hayes 43).

Division Three is back in the melting pot as both leaders lost last weekend. Ridgeway made 142-9 (J.McLoughlin 57), which Hathersage II reached with six down (R.Buckton 46*, P.Burke 5-56). Millhouses II ran up 152 (A.Khan 67, W.Shore 4-66) and then shot out Walkley for 110 (J.Hudson 48, I.Khan 5-45, D.Searle 4-47). Third placed Hundall II sent back Hallam III for 122 (R.Pursehouse 5-63) and won by five wickets (S.Bayston 41). Certainly Hundall II and possibly Hathersage II will now fancy catching the top two.

Sheffield Transport compiled 178 (A.Kadir 76), but Sheffield Collegiate V made hay, running out winners by nine wickets (G.Griffiths 77*, A.Gibson 76*). Whittington Wanderers reached 153-3 (J.Needham 48*, A.Tann 42) and bowled out bottom team Stocksbridge II for 137 (J.Fallon 4-35). Whittington Wanderers II now top Division Four after beating Baslow II. Chasing just 115 set by Whittington (R.Beresford 4-35) , Baslow II stumbled to 96 all out (G.Whiteley 6-32).

The shock result came at Warminster Road, where needing to overhaul University Staff II’s 114-9, Sheepbridge II were castled a mere two runs shy (J.Reynolds 5-34, A.Vasanthan 4-50). With Sheffield Zingari easily beating Chesterfield Barbarians II, Sheepbridge II have been pushed out of the top two. Chesterfield Barbarians II staggered to 95 all out, which Zingari passed for the loss of a solitary wicket. Coal Aston III amassed 196-6 (B.Eke 56, J.Lawrence 53) and bowled out Stocksbridge III for 124 (M.Wingfield 48, B.Shah 5-15).