Derbyshire Premier League match reports - 06/07/02

Alvaston & Boulton 118 lost to Ockbrook 230-8 by 112 runs

Ockbrook batted first and rode their luck in the early stages of their innings when the A&B bowlers got some movement off the pitch. Nigel Sulley, the captain of the second team, who had been called up to fill a vacancy, was batting well when he was run out for 28. Then Trevor Smith (48) and Dave Hallack (65) took command and the score raced along. When they were out James Cokayne (31) kept up the pressure. The later batsmen all went for their runs but they came up against a fine spell from A&B’s veteren seam bowler Steve Ottewell who slowed things down in taking 4-48.

When A&B batted their early batsmen had to face a blistering attack from Trevor Smith and Ian Darlington and they were soon in trouble. There was a defiant knock from Adris Azam (40) but they never recovered from the bad start and were dismissed in 38.1 overs, well short of their target. With 27 points gained Ockbrook moved a little nearer to Sandiacre.

Sawley & LE Park 59 lost to Sandiacre Town 60-1 by 9 wickets

The pitch at Sawley was badly affected by recent rain and Sandiacre’s bowlers made full use of the conditions. Sawley were skittled out in 29 overs, with Irfan ul Haq taking 6-41 and Sheldon Guerra 3-4. Sandiacre were home in the 17th over, with John Trueman 31 not out. This win strengthens Sandiacre’s position at the top. Can they keep it up in the second half of the season?

Ilkeston Rutland 207-6 beat Dunstall 203-8 by 4 wickets

Dunstall were without the two Benstead brothers, Jamie and Matthew, but it was still a strong batting line up, and a big score was on the cards as Phil Simmons and Carl Eyden put on 112 for the third wicket. When Simmons was out for 70 and Eyden for 46 progress slowed down a little, but 203-8 was still a challenging score on a pitch which had been affected by recent rain. Best bowling for Rutland was by Ben Moulds (3-35). The Rutland inning was given a boost by a fine knock from David Smit (72), and with Stewart Edge adding 30 the required run rate was maintained right up to the final over. The winning run came with 5 balls to go. Alan Gough took 3-27 for Dunstall who will be disappointed at this set-back, but don’t write them off because they remain serious challengers for the title.

Chesterfield 177 lost to Denby 179-3 by 7 wickets

Chesterfield batted for the full 55 overs and reached a modest total, with top score again coming from their overseas player Brad Ediriweera who made 67. Ian Parkin produced a winning performance for Denby with bat and ball, taking 5-58 and scoring 59 not out. There was backing from skipper Stuart Poplar with 54 and they achieved their victory with 20 overs to spare. After a poor start to their season Denby are clearly on a roll.

Clifton 186-9 drew with Langley Mill 254-8

Langley Mill set off at a moderate pace with Simon Lacey (38) holding things together, but the pace was increased by Damien Collard (66 not out) and Andrew Ball (31 not out) Ant Botha took 3-59 for Clifton but the final score looked rather daunting. However Li Ali responded confidently in making 93, but wickets began to fall all round him and in the end they were hanging on with their last pair at the wicket 68 runs adrift. For the Millers Rahim Karim took 4-36 and Sam Patel 4-49.

Quarndon 198 lost to Wirksworth 203-6 by 4 wickets

Quarndon suffered in the end because they didn’t use up all their overs. Veteran Steve Hollis batted superbly in making 73, but there was a lack of support and they were bowled out in 50.1 overs, with Wirksworth’s Mark Woodward taking 3-50. So Wirksworth had 59 overs available to chase a modest target and there is nothing they like better. The anchor man , as ever, was David Greatorex, whilst Kevin Hunter speeded things up with an assured knock of 63. Greatorex was on 71 not out as they approached the final over needing 5 to win and, perhaps a little out of character , he finished it off by smashing the first ball of the over for six. So, yet again Wirksworth had demonstrated their ability to upset the form book.