Parkhead awake as summer arrives
by Mark Simmerson, 12th June 2006

At last! Glorious summer has arrived! And there was some glorious batting to match - for those who could tear themselves from the happenings elsewhere. Parkhead, as expected, have awoken. At Hundall they ran up 254, with Altaf Junaid smacking 130. For Hundall Badcock spun out 7-87. Then Altaf propelled his leggies with gusto, snaffling 5-32 and despite a fighting 63 from Parker, Hundall were all out for 165.

Surely the individual performance of the season is signed sealed and delivered with top-spin. However, a more than honourable mention must go to Anthony Gladwin, who walloped 133 not out in Stanton’s 234-5 (M.Rosling 44). He then took 4-37 as Holmesfield were sent back for 185 (D.Ward 64, D.Hadfield 4-30). Stanton stay second just behind Works, but well clear of the pack who lead by De La Salle by a single point over Hathersage. Calver were able to reach 225-5 thanks to Tom Hilton with 105 and Stuart Hallows with 59. Mundy took 6-42 as Hathersage subsided to 109 all out.

At Beauchief the prolific James Hartley smote 119 and Sam Wainwright 79 unbeaten in De La Salle’s 250-3. Matt Green with 6-29 saw Millhouses sunk for 134. SWD made 201-7, but Ashford had no answer to Brad Sampson, who collected 6-23. Ashford closed at 118-9. Sheffield Centralians scored 176-9 (D.Stowe 63), but 48 not out from Allen saw Stocksbridge to a win by six wickets.

University Staff march on in Division Two, after bowling out Chesterfield Barbarians for 122, Needham nudged to 79 not out in a 6 wicket win. Sheepbridge stay second, racing to 306-2 (Henshaw 136, A.Hullett 106*). DLS II batted gamely, closing at 196-7 (Bulmer 91). In third spot is Sheffield Collegiate III racked up 234-9 (Naik 88, A.Langdale 54). Then wily Dave Seal fished out 4-44 to see Grindleford dismissed for 163. Bakewell totalled 223-5 (Madin 65, Luckraft 51) and saw off SWD II for 120. Dronfield Woodhouse were going well 169-7 (Bessey 53, Flack 41) then Patterson took a hat-trick to record a final analysis of 7-50. Parkhead II cruised to a seven wicket win (Millward 60, Powell 58*).

Sheffield Centralians II could only field eight and chased Baslow leather. J.Taylor 105, Edmondson 101*, M.Taylor 40 out of 283-4. Then Sheffield Centralians II were rolled over for just 34. T.Taylor keeping things in the family with 6-4.

Division Three is headed by Ridgeway, who overcame Sheffield Collegiate V - but only just. Set 129 to chase (C.Langdale 65 - more runs than his dad! Burke 4-14). Andy Leiper again in the wickets, taking 4-20, however Ridgeway got there with their last pair together. Walkley bowled out Sheffield Transport for 101 (A.Kadir 51, Frith 4-14) and reached the target with seven down to claim second place. Whittington Wanderers reached 198-6 thanks to 115 not out from the productive bat of Andy Tann. Then Rudgyard with 63, Siddall with 60 and R.Buckton with 40 weighed in for Hathersage II, securing the win by six wickets.

On Sunday, Millhouses II were all out for 124 and Hundall II passed this with four down. It’s tight at the top of Division Four, with 14 points separating the top six. Dronfield Sports II are top and beat Baslow II on Saturday. Set 211-8 to chase (Palmer 40, Beresford 5-46), Dronfield Sports II bowled out Baslow II for 186 (Garney 6-47). Stocksbridge III reached 182-6 (Newton 74). Sheffield Zingari’s successful seven wicket winning chase was built around 82 not out from Harris and 49 from veteran George Smith. A very youthful Chesterfield Barbarians II could only muster 100-8 from their allotted 46 overs (Turner 4-10), which Whittington Wanderers II passed with four down (Julian 42).