Stanton leave city-slickers in their wake
by Mark Simmerson, 19th June 2006

Stanton may be a small village, but they are playing mighty cricket this summer. They continue to head Division One leaving all the city-slickers in their wake. Saturday saw them at Calver, where they smote 339-7 with a blistering 158 from Nick Rosling. Then with the ball in hand, Nick took 4-6 as Calver subsided to 140 all out.

Stanton lead over SWD is now eight points as Woks could not force a complete win over struggling Millhouses. Set 266-8 declared to chase thanks to 138 from Marcus Burley, Millhouses batted well to finish at 210-9 (A.Sarwar 48*, Brown 4-88). Hathersage slide back up to third as they defeated Stocksbridge. Hathersage made 167 (P.Burnip 46, R.Stanworth 44, J.Spawton 6-39), then a fit again Joe Woolway took 5-11 to skittle Stocksbridge for 84.

At Beauchief, 141 from Sam Wainwright and 87 from Lee Blackett took De La Salle to 267-7 declared. A patient 85 from Dan Stow saw bottom club Sheffield Centralians though to 168-9 at the close. Ashford hit 224-6 with T.Smith smacking 139 undefeated. Despite 46 from Helliwell, Parkhead were dismissed for 183. In a cracking game at Hundall the home side won, but with just four balls and five wickets to spare. They hunted down Holmesfield’s 226-8 (J.Pearson 93) with R.Parker making 81 and A.Timms 49.

There was a major upset in Division Two as runaway leaders University Staff went down to Grindleford. Chasing 196-7 (Cornes 68, J.Outram 40, Sharma 5-44), Needham’s dismissal for 42 and the off breaks of Cornes, who finished with all seven wickets to fall for 66 saw Staff close at 163-7. The urbane bowling of Jim Lomas (5-20) saw Dronfield Woodhouse implode, all out for just 35. Unless to say Sheffield Collegiate III won by 10 wickets to move second.

The second upset was at Olive Grove Road, where SWD II recovered from 20-4 to post 182-8 (J.Summerhill 65, A.Wilson 41). Despite second century in as many weeks for Henshaw - this time 104 not out - Sheepbridge fell short at 145-7. Chesterfield Barbarians made 166 (Denby 46, T.Taylor 6-71) and bowled out Baslow for 105. At Niagara, De La Salle II declared at 209-7 (S.Pratt 93), then unleashed the leg-spin of Lally, who snared 6-13 as Sheffield Centralians II were all out for 81. Bakewell scored 225-8 (Reed 47, Sharman 47), then sent back Parkhead II for 132 (Burkinshaw 43).

Division Three leaders Ridgeway bowled out Sheffield Transport for 124 (A.Kadir 56, Roberts 4-11, Evans 4-39) and then lost just three wickets in winning (Byers 59*). Second placed Walkley rolled over bottom dwellers Stocksbridge II for 83 (Hudson 7-16) before winning by nine wickets. Hallam III totalled 144-8, which Hathersage II passed with two wickets in hand. Millhouses II reached 139 which was attained by Whittington Wanderers for the loss for seven wickets.

Sheffield Zingari’s fine season in Division Four continues. Coal Aston III set them a formidable 241-5 to chase (Robinson 64, B.Shah 61*, S.Shah 43), which they did with brio, Ruprah leading them to victory, undefeated with 82 with only the number 11 for company. At Dronfield Sports II, 68 year old Barrie Croft made a solid 60 to take his team to 135. When the ninth Chesterfield Barbarians II wicket fell they were still 14 runs adrift. But the last pair nurdled their way to improbable win.

Sheepbridge II stay second, thrashing Whittington Wanderers II. Set 138 (Whiteley 5-36), Straw (5-22) and Bramwell 4-9) shot down Whittington Wanderers II for 33. Baslow II reached 196-6 (Everitt 61, Buckingham 48) and held University Staff II to 103-8 (Z.Ahmed 61).