Derbyshire Premier League 2002 clubs preview 2

Dunstall were desperately close to winning the League title last season and will be hoping for something better this time. Their two international stars of last season, Derek Randal and Phil Simmons, are no longer with them, but they have come up with another major signing John Morris.

Morris started his County career with Derbyshire and moved on to Durham before returning to the East Midlands with Notts. He is still capable of producing big scores as he showed with his double century against Derbyshire last season.The club hope shortly to announce the registration of another 'player of note'.

They will retain the registration of Tim Munton but obviously his first loyalty will be with Derbyshire. Two local players join them, James Ede who played for Lullington last season and who has attracted the attention of Derbyshire, and Paul Shaw, the left hander who has been scoring heavily in the Staffordshire area for some years. They have a strong all round side and will be challenging with the best.

Sandiacre Town are looking forward to the season with real optimism now that their magnificent new Pavilion has been completed. After their recent ground improvements theirs must be one of the best appointed grounds in the League. John Trueman is again the captain.

He was looking forward to the return of Parvez Iqbal as opening bowler, now that he appeared fit again and was registered as England qualified by residence. Sadly his plans will have to be revised because Parvez died suddenly from a suspected heart attack whilst visiting relatives in Pakistan early in March. This is a terrible blow to the club and his many friends in the League. He was only 26 years of age.

There is some consolation in the fact that their young seam bowler John Jordison, who missed much of last season with a bad back, has been given the all clear by his medical advisers and is raring to go. Jordison is also a capable batsman and will be batting probably at number nine or ten, so it is surprising to hear Trueman say that he is one batsman short.

The club have made an exciting overseas signing, Nadeem Aktar, who is the captain of Rawalpindi. He is an opening bowler and a competent batsman with a first class hundred to his name. His arrival will compensate for the loss of Trevor Smith to Ockbrook and his brother Colin Smith who is working in the USA. Certainly Sandiacre have the talent to launch a serious challenge for the title.

Alvaston & Boulton are working hard on their ground, installing five new grass nets and improving facilities in their Pavilion. Their playing strength will have suffered from the loss of some players, including key batsmen Gavin Fearnehough whose work has taken him to Yorkshire and Matt Boyer who has joined Ilkeston Rutland.

A further weakening comes from the decision of Gary Smith to play in the second team. However, there are compensations, notably with the signing of a class overseas player, South Aftrican Carl Beetge, a very tall fast bowler who has been playing for Princetown in Durban, and Neil Gunter, a recent addition to the Derbyshire staff. They have also gained Gareth Davis, a batsman who has been playing for East Filey in one of the Yorkshire Leagues.

Their search for a wicket keeper has been successful with the registration of Adam Barrett from Wirksworth. Captain Darren Pooley will be supported as vice-captain by their outstanding all-rounder Anthony Woolley and it looks a well balanced side with particular strength in the bowling.

Denby, Ockbrook and Borrowash, Quarndon
Chesterfield, Ilkeston Rutland, Langley Mill
Wirksworth, Sawley and Long Eaton Park, Clifton

GWYN JONES - press officer

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