Have University Staff got promotion sorted?
by Mark Simmerson, 27th June 2006

The season is only half-way done and already University Staff appear to have promotion from Division Two sorted. On Saturday they bowled out struggling Sheffield Centralians II for 88 (Fairburn 4-34) and going on to win by eight wickets (Kerry 45*). Then on Sunday they played promotion rivals Sheepbridge and dismissed them for 128 (Henshaw 44, Grey 5-18). Paul Kerry hitting 70 not out in seven wicket triumph.

Sheffield Collegiate III move second, but are over fifty points behind, albeit with a game in hand. At Baslow, Collegiate hit 212-9 (Ellis 54, J.Hadfield 6-54), them the home team were lobbed out for just 42 (Lomas 6-16). At Beauchief Parkhead II made 162 (Lally 5-64 and ’keeper Tim Gill equalling the league record six dismissals - 4ct, 2st). But DLS II subsided to 94 all out (Patterson 4-32 and keeper Tim Gillott five catches). Bakewell compiled 210 (Peach 51, Haynes 40, Vessey 5-38, Skelton 4-30) and held Dronfield Woodhouse to 149-6.

On Saturday Sheepbridge ran up 234-9 (Whitehead 78, Rodgers 50), Chambers returning 4-12 to skittle Grindleford for 93. SWD II sent back Chesterfield Barbarians for 131 (Holmes 4-24). SWD II struggled as Hubbard took 6-36 to see SWD II all out for 131 - the second tied game of the summer.

In Division One who can stop Stanton? Not Millhouses, who were all out for 130 which Stanton passed with six down. Hathersage made 176-8 (R.Percival 45), but despite Nick Somerton snaring 6-48, Burley with 50 and Everitt with 43 took Works to win by 3 wickets. SWD II stay second some 13 points behind Stanton.

De La Salle continue their good run and are now third and play at SWD this coming Saturday. At Parkhead, bowler Si Willey took 4-46 as Parkhead are dismissed for 163. Sam Wainwright’s fine form continues with 56 and Sam Burton chipped in with 43 not out in a five wicket win. Ashford were rolled over for 134 (Badcock 5-42, C.Pursehouse 4-25), then Hundall went on to a seven wicket win (Parker 54, N.Vaughan 47*).

In the basement Calver made 97 which Sheffield Centralians attained with five down to move themselves level with Calver, some 15 points clear of Millhouses in bottom place. Ridgeway still set the Division Three pace after overcoming Millhouses II. Chasing 217-7 (Byers 52, Keys 46), Millhouses II were all out for 154 (Roberts 5-21). Second placed Walkley bowled out Sheffield Collegiate V for 79 (Shore 5-31), but were made to fight for their win, Andy Leiper taking 4-18 as Walkley lost eight before coming out with the points.

Hathersage II move up to third with a good win at Hundall II. Set 147 (Wigfield 85, Morton 5-34), they ran out winners by six wickets (Buckton 59*, Drury 51). Stocksbridge II made 135-9 (Roth 55, Hurst 48) and made Sheffield Transport scramble hard for a win with their last pair together (Slack 43, Hardwick 5-44). Hallam III hit 146-8, but found the redoubtable Andy Tann in fine touch again as he smacked 88 not out in a win for Whittington Wanderers by six wickets.

In the battle of the top two in Division Four, Sheepbridge II made 149 and sent back Sheffield Zingari for 95 to snatch the top spot. Baslow II compiled 163 (Buckingham 70, Ray 4-34) and Bates with 44 took Coal Aston III to a win by five wickets. Dronfield Sports II were all out for 118 (D.Turner 5-27) and Whitley’s 68* saw Whittington Wanderers II home by eight wickets. Finally University Staff II were rolled over for 120 thanks to 7-56 from Stocksbridge III’s Wingfield. Then Newton struck 58 out of 123-5 to seal maximum points.