Stanton one win away from title
by Mark Simmerson, 21st August 2006

Stanton took two more huge steps towards their first League title last weekend and are now just one win away from their goal. On Saturday they held Hundall to 137-8 (M.Dawson 43, R.Price 4-38) and ground out a win by two wickets. On Sunday they hit 228-9 (M.Clarke 69, A.Gladwin 46, A.Green 5-95) and dismissed Sheffield Centralians for 101 (N.Rosling 4-8, M.Clarke 4-53). Cents will be relegated if they fail to beat Stocksbridge and if Calver win both their games this Bank Holiday weekend.

On Saturday Sheffield Centralians had made 44-4 against Parkhead when rain stopped play. The match at Calver with Ashford was also abandoned, Calver having scored 170-8 (S.Hallows 41) and Ashford being on 100-5 (P.Carrington 66*) at the time. Millhouses managed only 112 (R.Dewsbury 48, P.Westwood 6-32), R.Turner hitting 85 not out as Holmesfield won by eight wickets to send Millhouses back to Division Two. SWD made 201-7 declared at Stocksbridge (M.Burley 44, R.Barker 43) and kept Stocksbridge to 140-9 (N.Khan 4-36).

University Staff will return to Division One after beating close rivals Bakewell. Set 151 (J.Parker 46, R.Peach 44, M.Sharma 4-52), that man again Dave Needham led the way with 85 as Staff won with six wickets in hand (E.Blake 4-26). Sheffield Collegiate III are almost certain to join Staff after thumping Sheepbridge. Despite 47 from M.Rodgers, the swing of M.Winters (5-22) and D.Pearson (4-23) despatched Sheepbridge for 105. Kiwi Adam Neylon’s 62* nailed on a eight wicket win. A win from Saturday’s game against Grindleford should ensure promotion.

Chesterfield Barbarians racked up 248-6 (P.Daniels 71, C.Bradbury 68, P.Sharman 66) and shot out De La Salle II for 60 (P.Sharman 7-14). Grindleford amassed 253-4 (T.Outram 94*, D.Nicholas 77, J.Outram 56) and restricted relegated Dronfield Woodhouse to 165-5 (J.Oxley 52, M.Flack 43, R.Bingley 4-51). Parkhead II declared at 195-4 (A.Vinall 101, M.Turner 58) and bowled out Sheffield Centralians II for 165 (P.Nattala 60*, P.Allen 47). Baslow scored just 94 at Olive Grove Road (B.Sampson 4-7), but SWD II crumpled to 64 all out (T.Taylor 5-24, J.Hadfield 5-36).

It’s still all to play for in Division Three, but a win on Saturday for Ridgeway will see them promoted. Last weekend, they bowled out third placed Hundall II for 120 (S.Wigfield 40, L.Keys 6-39), then H.Cartwright hit 64* in a eight wicket win. Walkley complied 172-8 (J.Boyden 56) and shot out Whittington Wanderers for 85 (J.Hudson 6-49). Walkley will go up if the results go their way this weekend. Struggling Hallam III gave themselves a massive boost, after making 128 (N.Wastnidge 42, M.Younis 5-24, G.Lewis 5-64). Then S.Bolton - 6-17 and C.Stewart - 4-17, routed Sheffield Transport for 44.

Hathersage II hit 202-3 declared (G.Rudgyard 87) and had Sheffield Collegiate V on 113 with their last pair at the crease (M.Somerton 5-43). But the rain, which had been incessant, became torrential and the game was abandoned. The game at Millhouses II with Stocksbridge II never started because of the weather. Whittington Wanderers II will join their first team in Division Three next term after easily beating University Staff II. Set just 76-6 to chase, they got there with nine wickets in the bag.

Sheepbridge II will be promoted if Sheffield Zingari fail to beat Stocksbridge III this weekend. On Saturday Sheepbridge II made 175 (M.Straw 49, R.Davies 4-29), then dismissed Baslow II for 131. Dronfield Sports II were 117 all out (S.Burke 41), Coal Aston III just attaining this with two wickets in hand. Chesterfield Barbarians II made 120-5, Stocksbridge III reaching the target by four wickets (D.Neale 52) as they bid to avoid the wooden spoon.