Hathersage shock for champions Stanton
by John Hilton, 29th April 2007

On the opening day of the new season in the Yorkshire and Derbyshire League there was a shock for the defending champions Stanton. Led by 94 from Joe Woolway Hathersage totalled 216 for 6 and then shot out their hosts for 45 with Kevin Rowney leading the way with 6 for 14. The batsmen also struggled at Abbeydale where visitors De La Salle tumbled to 77 all out thanks mainly to Duncan Howells 7 for 27 , in reply Collegiate recovered from 23 for 4 to win by 5 wickets.

SWD made short work of Ashford , J.Woods made 67 out of their total of 206 for 6 , M.Clegg taking 6 for 61. Bradley Sampson 4 for 32 and Lee Stewart 5 for 25 bowled Ashford out for 117 despite 47 from Tom Smith.

University Staff cruised to a 9 wicket win over Stocksbridge , D.Needham took 4 for 38 in the home side’s score of 104 while P.Kerry’s 43 not out led Staff home by 9 wickets.

Calver toiled in the heat as O.Rossington 86, R.Turner 56 and M.Rodgers 64 helped Holmesfield to an imposing 278 all out with E.Bite returning a creditable 5 for 75. In reply Calver could only make 142 for 7 . P.Silcock was the most successful bowler with 4 for 38

In Division 2 Grindleford’s last pair clinched victory at Chesterfield Barbs who posted 97 all out with P.Daniels taking 5 for 37. Buchan’s valiant 7 for 33 was not quite enough for Barbs. Promoted Walkley led by Peach’s 46 not out made 145 at Bakewell who surpassed this for the loss of 6 wickets.

Centralians made 158 for 8 in the battle of the relegated teams but Millhouses edged home in a tense finish by 2 wickets thanks to S.Rehman 50 and Attril 47 not out. The main contributors to Parkhead’s 7 wicket victory at SWD were L.Clayton 6 for 47 and A.Vinall 42 not out as Parkhead overcame SWD's total of 113 all out.

Division 3 saw the first century of the season for A.Tann 111 not out for Whittington Wanderers firsts in a total of 188 for 8 against Centralians for whom D.Verity captured 6 for 45.. Cents then subsided for 35 D.Turner taking 4 for 23 and D.Whiteley 6 for 11. Collegiate also took maximum points against Transport , E.Croft made 43 and G.Lewis took 4 for 25 in Collegiate’s 196 but A.Leiper’s 5 for 23 helped bowl the visitors out for 113.

J.Fallon took 5 for 43 as Whittington seconds bowled Sheepbridge out for 173 but then G.Bramwell replied with 7 for 36 causing Wanderers to hang on at 122 for 9.

Hundall batted first against Duckmanton Lodge and strggled to 125 for 9 despite 41 from T.Oldman . P.Williams took 4 for32 for Lodge for whom S.Hoole notched 57 not out in an 8 wicket victory. Solid batting from Hathersage’s K.Siddall 66 and B.Drury 57 ensured a challenging total of 196 for 8. In reply Dronfield Woodhouse fell short at 185 for 4 with D.Drew adding 40 not out to his effort of 5 for 95 with the ball.

Top scorers in Division 4 were Zingari with 199 for 7 thanks to A.Ruperalia 43 and M.Sayers 42. Duckmanton Lodge denied their visitors maximum points by clinging on at 106 with the last pair together.

University Staff crushed Ashford’s new seconds by 10 wickets. J.Downes took 4 for 14 in Ashford’s opening effort of 91 all out. There was a close game at Walton Dam as Stocksbridge overcame Chesterfield Barbarians’ 106 with only 2 wickets in hand. Despite 61 from Usman Ghani Dronfield Sports were dismissed for 121 and suffered a 6 wicket defeat to Coal Aston.