Runs flow as the sun shines
by Tommy Hilton, 11th May 2008

The sun came out on Saturday and with it came a flow of runs in conditions which cricketers would've killed for last summer. Three half centurions for Holmesfield: Rossington (51), Rodgers (64) and top scorer Ward (65) guided them to an impressive 251-7 which Sheffield Collegiate IV struggled to chase down falling well short with 103.

Defending champions Parkhead made light work of SWD. Thanks in no small part to impressive figures of 5-24 from Turner, Works were bowled out for 112. Parkhead cruised to a seven wicket win with young Burkinshaw top scoring with 52. A fine bowling display, capped with 6-32 from Needham, reduced De La Salle to a modest 112, despite 42 from Burton. 4-9 from Mitchell had University Staff in real trouble in the run chase but they squeezed home with three wickets intact.

A competitive 187-9 was set by Calver which was decorated by Howie’s 95 as they played host to former champions Stanton. After a shaky start the visitors settled and helped by M Clark’s unbeaten 64 won by seven wickets. And Ashford’s dreadful start continues as they were humbled by Hundall. 55 not out from Vaughan saw Hundall on their way to 191-6 and Cartwright’s 4-20 put paid to any hopes Ashford had of earning any points as they fell for just 60.

Greengrass was once again amongst the wickets as he plundered 7-36 for Youlgreave Lodge against Stocksbridge. The Sheffield side couldn’t cope with Greengrass falling for 133 which put Lodge in a strong position. Their batting failed to fire however as they fell for just 79 in reply.

Ridgeway set Grindleford an imposing total of 232-4 with major contributions from Roberts (60), Cartwright (59) and Byers (49*). Roberts added to his runs with four wickets in the second innings for just 20 and Woolley’s 5-57 cleared up Grindleford for 110. Hathersage continued to build on their impressive start with Ovendon getting 55 in a first innings total of 191-5. Chesterfield Barbarians in response fell marginally short as they were bowled out for 148. J Wall fell just six short of a century, he was one of Woolway’s four victims for 29.

159 was enough for Parkhead, helped by Vinall’s 52 they beat Millhouses by 55 runs. Sheepbridge show signs that they’re beginning to get back into their stride as they beat Centralians. 163-8 was their total which Cents fell 21 short of in response despite a useful 41 from Stowe. Man of the match Ferguson was the difference for Baslow taking 4-29 as they dismissed Millhouses for 141 with Dunkeley top scoring with 48. Ferguson then managed an unbeaten 68 as Baslow won with the last pair at the crease.

De La Salle love cricket again as they won off the final ball against Sheffield Transport. M Turner top scored with 119* as De La Salle closed on 185-2 then, thanks mainly to 4-76 from Hayward, bowled out Transport for 179. Bakewell were once again impressive as they removed Collegiate V for 103 with the best figures of 5-15 from Hickley. J Wallace (46*) and Dunn (41*) completed the ten wicket demolition.

SWD II faired no better than their first 11 as they were bowled out for just 71. Six of those were taken by Bouzida for just 20. An unbeaten 44 from Rockings saw Hallam III to the ten wicket victory.

WPH are struggling to adapt to life in division 3 as despite Varghees’ 4-42 Walkley amassed 194-8 with Frith (67) and R Whing (40) the key contributors. 151 was Western Park’s response with Singh their top scorer with 48 but Walkley’s Evans had the final say with 4-20. The aptly named Ramsden helped to butt out Sheepbridge II for just 102 with his figures of 4-17. Coal Aston fell seven short of their target however with Straw claiming 4-30 in the second innings.

Hundall II came out on top in a one sided contest. 63 from Simpson and 69 from Allender helped them to 215-5 and Allender again with tidy figures of 4-16 assisted in dismissing Whittington Wanderers II for just 89. Hathersage II’s 162-8 was enough to beat Wanderer’s first 11 who managed 137-7 in response with Tann top scoring with 56.

Centralians II closed on 185-9 with Rhodes’ 88 the highlight. Credit also goes to Bridgett for figures of 4-60 for Dronfield Woodhouse who came close, finishing on 178-7. Lambon the main man for Woodhouse with 43 and Green the pick of the bowlers with 4-76. Zingari batted Stocksbridge II out of the game with a total of 235-9. Ruparelia (76) and Rupra (67*) were the best performers. Hurst still managed tidy figures of 5-63. Those figures were eclipsed by Salim’s 5-20 as Stocksbridge were bowled out for 156 despite Perry’s 47. 

League leaders Apperknowle consolidated their position making 290-4 and had three men past 50: B Hibbert (76), M Hibbert (50*) and Waite (66). A total which Wingerworth Saltergate couldn’t hope to match. They made 158 with Hall top scoring with 47 and Walker collecting 5-28. Baslow also won of the last ball setting WPH II 185 to win. Rooke got 60 for Baslow and despite 52 from Avnesh WPH were bowled out for 171.

Dronfield Sports Contact were bowled out for 148 but Endersby’s 4-42 was as good as it got for Youlgreave Lodge II as they collapsed to 49 all out. Zingari II completed a fine day for the club closing on 206-9 with Ali’s 52 very significant. Stocksbridge III’s response was 162 with Haywood (61) and Rushworth (5-38) the highlights.

Uni Staff II piled on the runs with 235-7 including 50 from Dar and 50 from Nichol. Hassan was Hallam’s best bowler with 4-67 but Hallam’s batting failed to fire and they were bowled out for 135. Davies his 59 for Ashford as they reached 145. Slack saw Chesterfield Barbarians II home with four wickets to spare unbeaten at the end on 71.