Derbyshire Premier League match reports - 07/09/02

Clifton 203-5 beat Ockbrook 202-5 by 5 wickets

Ockbrook were the leaders before this game, with Dunstall and Sandiacre in very close contention. So keen were they to win that they declared after 49 overs, with a good challenging total. Trevor Smith batted well for 72 and James Cokayne (33 not out) hurried the score along. The pattern of the game was changed by the intervention of rain, and it became a ‘Time Game’, with the finishing time fixed at 7.00 o’clock. However, under the rules 17 overs had to be bowled in the final hour, and as things worked out Clifton had a total of 46 overs to get the runs. They had two players capable of launching such an assault, their South African overseas player Ant Botha who made 77 and Kamran Afzaal, brother of the Notts Test player, who remained to attend to the last rites. Afzaal went on to make 94 not out, the final run coming off the very last ball of the match.

Dunstall 156 lost to Sandiacre Town 157-5 by 5 wickets

Batting first Dunstall were dismissed for a very moderate score despite 71 from Phil Simmonds. It was slow progress because there was only one ball remaining when the last wicket fell. Naeem Akhtar was in good form, taking 6-47. When Sandiacre batted John Trueman battled his way to 37 despite being hampered by a hamstring injury, but he finally had to retire hurt. Chris Attwood stayed and kept the score moving until he, too, was out for 37. It was hard going until the winning run came with two overs to go. The win moved Sandiacre into the lead, just five points ahead of Ockbrook. And so to the final Sunday when Ockbrook are at home to Dunstall, and Sandiacre are at home to Ilkeston Rutland. At this stage of the season there are no easy wins.

Chesterfield 226-6 dec (52 overs) drew with Alvaston & Boulton 146-9 (52 overs)

David Adams led the way for Chesterfield, scoring 58, with support from Andrew McCarroll (47) and Ian Jones (40 not out). A & B were content to play for the draw and managed to hang on with their last pair at the wicket. There were useful knocks from Lance McKenzie and Kaq Nawaz, both scoring 45.. It has been a difficult season for both of these teams, but both have shown a determination to survive.

Ilkeston Rutland 155-6 beat Wirksworth 154 by 4 wickets

Wirksworth keep trying, but they are now confirmed in bottom place. Lee Mousley made 39 in their modest total, whilst Rutland were well served by Ben Moulds (4-41) and Skipper Martin Brandrick (4-50). Wirksworth’s Mark Woodward produced another mean spell, taking 3-39, and he made them work hard for their win.

Quarndon 188 lost to Langley Mill 246-6 by 58 runs

Quarndon won the toss and chose to field, but the Millers relished the challenge. They had Sam Patel back from duties with the England Under 19 team, and he obliged with a good knock of 52, and with Adrian Marsh making 59 the score mounted to present a fair challenge. Best bowling for Quarndon was by Kevin Newbold (3-70), but their batsmen didn’t quite measure up to the challenge despite decent knocks from Gary Myers (35) and Jon Siddall (46). For the Millers Rahim Karim took 3-55 and Zahid Iqbal 4-61.

Sawley & LE Park 110-7 v Denby 229-9 No Result

This was the only game in the League to be seriously affected by the showers, and time ran out for Denby when they were very much on top. Best batting for Denby came from Stuart Poplar (75 not out), Steve Bullock (39) and Chris Meyer (37). Ahmed Gondal was not available for Sawley because he has returned to Pakistan to join the Pakistan A team, but Sean Polley bowled well, taking 5-42. The Sawley innings ran out of time after 32 overs, with Kenny Wilson top scorer with 37. For Denby Michael Deane took 4-50.