Rollicking Collegiate emerge as major contenders
by Mark Simmeron, 10th July 2006

Sheffield Collegiate III are emerging as the major contenders to University Staff for the Division Two title. On Saturday they hit a rollicking 260-1, with Chris Ash cashing in to the tune of 150 not out - the highest individual innings of the season (R.Naik 48, M.Ellis 47*). Then Mark Longley snaffled 7-28 to restrict Parkhead II to 128-9. University Staff made short work of SWD II, Dave Needham taking 5-28 as Works were 90 all out. Paul Kerry with 64* took Staff to a nine wicket win.

Baslow amassed 252-7 (R.Ewing 47, J.Haslam 41, then T.Taylor’s 5-25 saw Dronfield Woodhouse sent back for just 66. Grindleford were 140 all out (T.Outram 67, T.Wainwright 5-18, N.Howard 5-46), but despite 75 from Simon Burton, DLS II fell 15 short (T.Outram 4-32).

Sheepbridge’s batters were at it again, this time smacking 287-2 (G.Whitehead 135*, Henshaw 62, Rodgers 53*), then Chesterfield Barbarians were rolled over for 109. Sheffield Centralians II are having a season to forget. They reached a new nadir on Saturday - all out for 27. Bakewell knocked them off without loss.

In the top two tussle in Division Three, Walkley whacked 232-5 (S.Birch 69, P.Siddall 54, K.Roberts 4-88) and bowling out Ridgeway for 160 (J.McLoughlin 56, G.Hudson 7-60). Despite this, Ridgeway remain top by a dozen points. Hundall II remain a close third after making 202-8 (Bayston 77, Oldman 43) and knocking over Sheffield Transport for 124 (Kadir 50). Hallam III made 115 which Millhouses II passed with three wickets down. Stocksbridge II were happy with 237-7 (E.Price 94, L.Woolway 5-48), but Hathersage II gave chase, closing a mere seven short with seven down (B.Drury 60, A.Osbourne 50*, G.Jones 4-34).

On Sunday Sheffield Collegiate V, who definitely entertain promotion hopes, rattle along to 234-6 (M.Heslop 72, C.Langdale 69*, A.Gibson 41), then M.Collins took a hat-trick to shot out Whittington Wanderers for 107. Collins finishing with 6-19.

Sheepbridge II continue to lead Division Four after bowling out Dronfield Sports II for 129 they seized a three wicket win. Whittington Wanderers II are second. On Saturday they rolled over Stocksbridge III for 74 (R.Henderson 5-16), then C.Julian with 50 not out lead them to a win by nine wickets. Against Sheffield Zingari, University Staff II reached a useful 186-8 (J.Hall 66). Zingari were on course for a nail-biting finale, but when they reached 171-8 (V.Arjun), with seven overs to be bowled, rain and bad light caused the game to be abandoned.

Chesterfield Barbarians II made 206 (J.Green 71, A.Slack 59, Z.Park 5-28) and bowled out Baslow II for 172 (Emmett 57, G.Mullins 4-45). It’s still a long way to go, but long-time Division One leaders must be starting to dream. On Saturday they demolished one of the contenders De La Salle, bowling them out for 95 and winning by ten wickets (D.Hadfield 47*, A.Gladwin 46*). Works keep up the pressure, after making 223 (Everitt 76), Calver were knocked over for 89 by Glynn Brown’s devastating burst of 8-33. Hundall are moving on up, they sent back Stocksbridge for 169 (D.Wood 84, D.Woodcock 4-5, M.Cartwright 4-45) and going on to win by four wickets (D.Woodcock 67, C.Siddall 4-35).

Hathersage hit bottom club Millhouses for 248-6 (P.Campbell 63*, J.Woolway 60), who were 124 all out (N.Somerton 5-56). Parkhead hit out, reaching 237-9 (I.Davis 109, T.Brown 43, A.Burkinshaw 41, N.Crapper 4-76). Undaunted, Holmesfield’s aggressive batters went all out, finishing agonisingly a six hit short with one wicket in hand (N.Pearson 78, N.Crapper 48, T.Hamilton 44, I.Davis 4-42). Ashford amassed a mammoth 297-8 at home to Sheffield Centralians, for whom Matt Scholey took possibly the most expensive Michelle ever in the League - 5-104 (B.Carr 59*, T.Smith 59, P.Carrington 53, A.Paulett 40). Sheffield Centralians came out with all guns blazing and thanks to Paul Kennedy with 95 not out, finished at 278-8 (J.Carrington 5-62).