Shock for champions as rain fails to spoil the day

Despite the showers all games were played to a conclusion except that between Dunstall and Ilkeston Rutland which had to be abandoned when heavy rain arrived late in the game

Denby 126 lost to Chesterfield 127-3 by 7 wickets

Denby, the League champions, set off in their familiar role by batting first, but on this occasion it worked against them. Frequent showers disrupted their rhythm and they never came to terms with the conditions. Simon Mann (32) and young Ben Perry-Taylor (26) looked confident enough but Denby needed a major innings and it didn't come.

Chesterfield bowled accurately and fielded well and gave the impression that this re-modelled side could spring a few surprises in this League. When they went in to bat they knew that their innings would be restricted by the time limit, but they also knew that a modest target of three runs an over would see them through. After a steady start Tim Kirk and new skipper David Adams took control and saw them home comfortably to their win. Kirk was 54 not out and Adams was 33 not out.

Dunstall 249-7 v Ilkeston Rutland 140-6; match abandoned because of rain

Dunstall welcomed back their former overseas player Phil Simmons and introduced their new Derbyshire signing James Pyemont. Both batted well, but got out when they seemed set, Simmons for 27 and Pyemont for 29. It was left to Dunstall's home grown players to boost the innings, skipper Jamie Benstead with 57 and Carl Eyden with 48.

Rutland's skipper Martin Brandrick took 4-63, and when they batted Matt Boyer showed good form in making 41, but it was an uphill struggle. When their score had reached 140-6 in the 34th over the steady rain brought matters to an end. For Dunstall spinner Martin Clewley took 3-32.

Langley Mill 284-5 dec beat Clifton 95 by 189 runs

On this showing Langley Mill look a very powerful outfit. They batted in depth, with good contributions from Sam Patel (55), Adrian Marsh (38), Richard Marsh (34 not out), Rayim Karim (31) and overseas player Damien Collard (32 not out). They declared with six overs to go. Clifton's South African, Ant Botha looked the part in making 38, but there was little support against a lively attack by the Millers and they were dismissed in 27.5 overs. Collard took 4-25 and Zahid Iqbal 3-20.

Ockbrook 279-6 dec drew with Alvaston & Boulton 160-7

Ockbrook's strengrh in batting was again in evidence, with class performances from Paul Aldred (62), Dave Wood (61), Dave Hallack (56) and Johnny Owen (32). For A & B newcomer Neil Gunter took took 3-45. A late start because of rain reduced the overs to 52 a-side, but Ockbrook declared with two overs to spare.

Maybe they should have declared earlier because they failed to bowl A & B out despite reducing them to seven wickets down. Once again Anthony Woolley demonstrated his value to A & B as he compiled the first century of the season. He was out after scoring exactly 100.

Sandiacre Town 162 beat Sawley & Long Eaton Park 160 by two runs

This clash between two very close neighbours produced a desperate finish. Sandiacre had to graft for their runs, especially against Ahmed Gondal (4-54) and Rashid Shafayat (4-28). Top scorer was Chris Attwood with 36. For Sawley Dan Birch made 38 and young Bilal Shafayat 30, but Sawley's batsmen had to struggle against a strong attack, with Naeem Akhtar taking 4-27 and Irfan ul haq taking 3-47, and in the end they were just three runs short of victory. On this form Sawley may cause quite a few upsets.

Wirksworth 168 lost to Quarndon 302-4 dec by 134 runs

Batting first Quarndon were able to demonstrate the wealth of batting in the side. Steve Selwood set them off with an innings of genuine class and when he was out for 75 Gary Myers (125 not out ) and Mark Tournier (52 not out) kept up the good work. Facing such a total was a daunting task, but Lee Mousley (53) and David Greatorex (31) put up a good show as they dug in, putting on 96 for the first wicket, but the tail failed to wag and they were tumbled out well short of their target.

The evidence of this first day gives promise of a feast of cricket to come. There are exciting cricketers in all clubs in this League.