Lodge steamroller Sheepbridge to take division three title
by Tom Hilton, 2nd September 2007

Congratulations to Duckmanton Lodge who, in their first season in the Surridge Sport Yorkshire and Derbyshire League have won Division 3 and clinched promotion on the final day. They had the bit between their teeth from the word go as they steamrolled Sheepbridge II for just 57. The run chase cost them 5 wickets but they still managed to earn maximum points to win them the championship.

That result meant Hallam III’s win over Sheffield Transport only confirmed them second place. Batting first Hallam posted a competitive 181-9 and then removed Transport for 126. 156-6, which included 80 from Vessey, wasn’t enough for Dronfield Woodhouse as Hundall bypassed them with four wickets in hand. Whittington Wanderers struggled to 82 all out leaving Fletcher not out on 41 with half his team’s total. Collegiate V made light work of the second innings losing only 2 wickets.

Wanderer’s seconds faired much better. 5-44 from Fallon helped to bowl out Centralians II for 152 which included 56* from Wainwright. Wanderers’ batsmen impressively chased the total down for the loss of just 4. helped in no small part by Henderson’s 50 and Vickery’s unbeaten 56. Millhouses completed a comprehensive victory over Hathersage. Their first innings total of 197 was always going to be too many for Hathersage as they were all out for 72 in response. Millhouses’ star Joyce falling 2 short of a century and Khan 7 short of his half century, took the game away from Hathersage.

All the major issues had been resolved in Division 1 with just final placings and pride to play for. SWD stormed into the top two with an emphatic victory at Hathersage. 98 from Ali set them on their way to 234-9 before 4-40 from B Sampson and 4-23 from Ghose skittled the home side for 126. Champions Parkhead stumbled to victory away at Stanton. Having removed their hosts for just 108 with 45 of them scored by N Rosling and Davis collecting 5-29, they went on to win with the final pair at the crease. N Rosling’s 7-42 in vain for Stanton.

Holmesfield missed out on second spot after their 173 was overturned by University Staff with 6 wickets in hand, Kerry (44) and the in form Sharma (40*) making it comfortable for Staff. A huge 272-7 was set by Hundall in their game with Collegiate. 85 from Badcock and 44 from Timms guiding them to the total. 182-9 was Collegiate’s response which included 40 from Davey and 4-48 from Cartwright.

Bottom Club Stocksbridge lost narrowly by two wickets away at De La Salle. 43 from Siddall helped them on their way to 164 which was kept respectable by SP Burton’s 4-42 before De La Salle sneaked over the finish line. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of Calver’s former president of 31 years Geoff Morton and they gave a gritty performance he would have been proud of. The Hallows twins supplied the firepower with 50 for Stuart and 48* for Ian as 6-59 from John Carrington bowled them out for 204. Ashford’s Paulett fell for 81 as Ashford were eventually bowled out for 181 with Mundy’s effort rewarded with figures of 4-61.

The inevitable was confirmed in Division 2 with Sheepbridge crowned champions and in some style. They put De La Salle II in to bat and 26 runs later they’d bowled them out. D Hulett collecting superb figures of 5-1. The professional job was completed in 13 balls with no dismissals. This meant Parkhead II were resigned to second place despite an impressive, high scoring win at home to Millhouses. 235-8 they scored with Gopal and Gilson collecting 58 and 68 respectively and Dewsbury 4-54. Millhouses 208-8 close but not quite enough with Mumtaz unbeaten at the end on 76.

221-9 from Ridgeway with Byers (65), Roberts (61), Birch (4-51) and R Wing (4-81) the highlights, was just two runs too many for Walkley as they closed on 219-7 with Birch (67) and Frith (60) the key contributors. SWD ended the season with a fine performance. They set 171-8 which included 42 from J Summerhill and 44 from Raja. This was a total that the Jekyll and Hyde Grindleford couldn’t match as they were all out for 97.

Centralians were unable to overhaul Bakewell’s first innings score of 168-8 as they were bowled out for 104 in reply. The win wasn’t enough to keep Bakewell in Division 2 as Chesterfield Barbarians thrashing of Baslow took matters out of their hands. Barbs’ total of 243-8 which included 108 from Wall looked imposing and their bowling attack was equally as barbaric as they removed Baslow for 106. Latter claimed 4-49 and Sood 5-21 the difference makers despite 52 from Hadfield.

In Division 4 Zingari successfully chased down the 203-7 Ashford II had set with 4 wickets in hand. Dronfield Sports Contact’s forfeit handed the 25 points to Stocksbridge III. Stocksbridge’s second XI were also successful as 5-44 from Murfin helped dismiss Duckmanton Lodge II for 114 and, with the help of an unbeaten 66 from Price, Stocksbridge eased to victory by 6 wickets.

Baslow’s Tony Sadler must’ve been sick as he was dismissed on 99 in his side’s win over Chesterfield Barbarians II. Sadlers’ team amassed 252-9 and then bowled out Chesterfield for 210. Champions Weston Park Hospital rounded off their season with an 8 wicket demolition of University Staff II. Salvi’s 4-15 the catalyst in bowling out Staff for 106 which the medics reached with relative ease.

The YDCL cup final will have to be rearranged after rain stopped play midway through Collegiate’s innings at Abbeydale and never restarted.