Holmesfield crash to first defeat of the season
by Tom Hilton, 27th May 2007

League leaders Holmesfield suffered their first defeat of the season against Hundall. Parker helped Hundall on their way with 49 but they were restricted to 156-9 thanks to Roslington’s 6-45. For once Holmesfield’s batting let them down. Hughes took 5-29 to help dismiss Holmesfield for 105.

Second placed Parkhead failed to capitalise on Holmesfield’s slip up as they were beaten at Ashford. The home side set them 190 to win. Smith’s 77 helped Ashford to their total but Junaid’s 5-53 stopped any further progress. Parkhead managed only 150 with A.J Finney grabbing 5-31, Junaid top scoring for Parkhead with 58.

SWD eased to victory against De La Salle. 56 from Everitt and 63 from Burley saw Works to 231-7 and Sampson did the rest taking 5-34 as De La Salle were bowled out for 112. Stanton squeezed home in a thriller at Stocksbridge. The visitors 208-7 which included 69 from N. Rosling was just one run too many for Stocksbridge as they were bowled out for 207. Gladwin took 4-69 for Stanton, Spawton 68 and Ward’s 48 for Stocksbridge in vain.

Bottom of the league Calver suffered another defeat, this time at the hands of University Staff. Needham’s 5-24 and Gray’s 5-22 doing the damage for Staff as Calver were all out for 121. In response Staff reached their total with 5 wickets in hand. Sheffield Collegiate were the other big winners as they defeated Hathersage by 119 runs. Collegiate set 210-5 which included 42 from Dunn and an unbeaten 46 from M. Ellis. Hathersage’s run chase never really materialised as D. Ellis helped himself to 5-22 as they were dismissed for 91.

A close encounter in division 2 as Sheffield Centralians triumphed over Grindleford. An unbeated 95 from stow was the highlight of Cents’ 182-4 and despite 41 from Ford, Grindleford fell short of their target finishing on 176-8. 114 from Pass and 83 from Vinall saw Parkhead II amass 242-6 against Baslow. The thumping was completed as Baslow were then bowled out for 118.

A clinical batting performance from SWD II saw them overhaul the 173-7, including 74* from Simmerson, that De La Salle II had set them. 103* from Mallett the linchpin as Works reached their target for the loss of just two. Bakewell’s batsmen were in form, none more so than Blake, top scoring with 67 helped out by 46 from Piper as they recorded 189 away at Ridgeway. Keys 5-81 and Roberts 4-40 stopped the scoring from getting out of hand however. In response Ridgeway fell short of their total as Bakewell bowled them out for 143 with Peach’s 5-33 an important contribution.

Table toppers Sheepbridge continued their push for promotion with a victory at Millhouses. Rodgers and Atkin contributing with 48 and 46* with the bat to take them to 151 but the performance of the day was from Hullet. He destroyed Millhouses taking 9-19 as they were dismissed for 93. Chesterfield Barbarians 231-7 featuring 47* from Wesley-Mullins and 45* from Sood was an intimidating total for Walkley. Sood added 4-15 to his earlier 45 as Walkley closed on 119-9.

Top versus bottom in division 3 as Whittington Wanderers 1sts met their second team. Wanderers II compiled 150-9 with a helpful 59 from Knight but 67 from Tann helped the first team to an 8 wicket win. Sheffield Transport were set 111 for victory by Duckmanton Lodge and they managed it with 5 wickets to spare largely thanks to 65 from Jones. Cotteril took all 5 wickets for Duckmanton but it wasn’t enough for them. Dronfield Woodhouse took maximum points against struggling Centralians. Sanders’ 58 and 49 from Vessey firing Dronfield to 161-3 and despite 40 from Verity Centralians were bowled out for 104, Turner collecting 5-38.

An upset in Division 4 as Duckmanton Lodge II defeated Coal Aston. 4-46 from Endersby helped to reduce Coal Aston to 129, a total that was reached with 6 wickets still in tact, 41 from Ornsby being the highlight. Ashford II continue to impress as they overturned 189-9 to defeat Baslow. Maroney’s 57* and Davis’ 42* the catalyst for Ashford’s 4th win of the campaign. Stocksbridge II defeated their 3rd team by 10 wickets. The 3rds could only managed 101. E. Price’s 43* helped steer the second team to victory.

Sunday’s game in division 2 between De La Salle and Centralians was also abandoned.