NAEEM Akhtar took his mean bowling to a new extreme on Sunday as he bowled a full allocation of 15 overs for seven runs.

And, remarkably, those included four wides in his first two overs, as the Rolls-Royce captain tied up Matlock's batsmen and took four wickets, just for good measure.

Royces, who had scored 226-9, could not force what would have been their second win of the weekend, as Matlock hung on for a draw at 106-8.

But they took 20 points from the draw and have now established a 14-point lead over Aston-on-Trent in the race for the Division One title.

Akhtar is now averaging 8.84 in league matches and has taken 49 league wickets, as he pushes his side relentlessly towards the Premier League.

Aston are very likely to occupy the other promotion place, after making short work of Shipley Hall on Saturday.

They bowled out their visitors for 137, with Zahid Mansoor taking 4-31.

Mansoor then took over with the bat and was 82 not out when Aston reached the target, with four wickets down.

Stainsby Hall remain third, 76 points behind, after enduring a blank Saturday at home to Clifton.

They were shot out for 58, with Simon Moore taking 5-16 and Nick Hopewell 4-41.

Clifton's win came by nine wickets in 12.1 overs.

It was not a good weekend for Matlock all round, as they conceded 246-4 to Staveley Welfare on Saturday, Ben Peake batting through for 88 not out and Chris Bullimore coming in at five to hit 82 not out.

Matlock replied with 162-7, veteran Derek Randall scoring another half-century.

Nutbrook are still bottom of Division One after losing to Marehay.

They made 161-8, then Martin Camm hit 61, as Marehay won by six wickets.

Peter Furstenburg, Stuart Poplar and Anil Bria all hit fifties, as Denby scored 223-7 at home to Rolleston.

Mark James was unbeaten on 71 and Alex Britton added 47 as Rolleston's reply reached 178-8.