Derbyshire Premier League match reports - 24/08/02

Sandiacre Town 254-9 dec v Wirksworth match abandoned

This match was abandoned shortly after the Wirksworth reply when the Wirksworth scorer Ken Wilson collapsed with a heart attack. Para medics arrived and revived him, and he was taken to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. Both captains agreed immediately to abandon the game and they propose to replay it next Sunday, September 1st. Ken Wilson has been a tireless worker for Wirksworth Cricket Club and is the Hon Treasurer of both the Premier League and the County League. Needless to say we all wish him a quick and complete recovery. During the Sandiacre innings there were good knocks from Imi Ahmed (100), Jake Needham (36) and Rob Attwood (45). For Wirksworth Andy Barlow took 4-55.

Chesterfield 125-8 drew with Ockbrook 254-8 dec

Ockbrook batted first and may have been a little timid with their declaration, which came with just one over to go. Main scorers were Trevor Smith (82) and Dave Wood (61), and for Chesterfield Tim Kirk took 3-69.After 56 overs Chesterfield survived with barely two wickets in hand and were well behind the set target. Johnny Owen was almost their undoing. Set in the unfamiliar role of main strike bowler he took the first five Chesterfield wickets for 23. It was almost as good as a win because Ockbrook gained 19 points from the winning draw and slightly extended their lead at the top.

Dunstall 245-3 dec drew with Denby 197-9

This match was affected by rain and Dunstall took advantage of the rule which enabled them to curtail the overs available to Denby. By declaring after 48.2 overs the same number of balls were available to their opponents. The Dunstall score was boosted, as so often before, by Jamie Benstead and Phil Simmons who put on 188 for the third wicket. Simmons made 103 and Benstead was 93 not out. Denby didn’t shirk the challenge and Steve Bullock hit out to great effect in reaching 101, with stout support from Ben Perry-Taylor (39). Stephen Scrimshaw was the most successful of the Dunstall bowlers, taking 6-44.

Ilkeston Rutland 226-6 dec drew with Langley Mill 172-4

Ilkeston set the limit of this game by declaring after 42.4 overs, by which time they had reached an imposing total. Martin Brandrick made 34, but the innings of the match was by Martin Green who overcame the very slow outfield by hitting the ball very hard. His 114 included seven fours and five big sixes. For Langley Mill Rahim Karim stood up well to the onslaught, taking 3-54. The Millers were short of key players and with a number of very young players in the side they knew that the top order had to perform, and this is what they did. After losing Adrian Marsh early in the innings skipper Simon Lacey and Karim dug in and weathered the attack. Both were out, Lacey for 52 and Karim for 30, but Paul Bailey maintained the resistance with a good knock of 40, and they earned an honourable draw.

Quarndon 267-3 dec drew with Clifton 188-8

This was another Quarndon batting display to savour, with young Billy Bagshaw leading the way with a magnificent 152 not out, supported by veteran Steve Hollis who added 57. There were still nine overs available when they declared. Clifton were determined not to lose and they kept the score board ticking over albeit at a slower rate, but they, too, earned their draw, with Kamran Afzaal making 68 and Ant Botha 37, with Quarndon’s skipper Mark Tournier taking 4-16.

Sawley & LE Park 141-7 beat Alvaston & Boulton 140 by 3 wickets

Both of these sides are close to the relegation zone, and it will be some relief to Sawley that they came away with a win. A&B produced only a modest score, but where would they be without Anthony Woolley? He scored 81, more than half their score, and for Sawley Ahmed Gondal took 4-34. Sawley responded as a team, with everybody doing a bit, though nobody exceeded 30. Yet it was close in the end, with only three wickets left.