SPONDON'S sixth maximum-points win of the season took them back into second place in the Beechwood Derbyshire Premier League and closed the lead held by Ockbrook & Borrowash to 46 points.

Opener Ben Ashdown, who has had a relatively lean season by his standards, came good with the bat to post 128 not out, while his brother, Joe, hit 82 in Spondon's 290-5 at Elvaston.

The Ashdowns then did the business with the ball as well, Ben taking 4-27 and Joe 3-34 as Elvaston were shot out for 164 in 35 overs.

Meanwhile, Ockbrook were frustrated by a strong response from Alfreton after crashing 326-8.

Johnny Owen led the way with 129 but when Alfreton replied, their big-hitting opener, Will Challoner, topped Owen with 140 and, for a while, the home side threatened a surprise victory.

They ended respectably, having reached 282-7, to take 12 points from the game, against Ockbrook's 17.

Sandiacre Town are third after a frustrating finish at Ticknall, where they could not secure the home side's last wicket.

Eight Sandiacre batsmen reached double figures as they batted first but only Rob Attwood went on to a big score, making 66, and Sandiacre's 244-8 might have been more imposing if not for a mean spell of spin from veteran Dave Tee, who took 3-35 from 15 overs.

Luke Harvey and Paul Borrington raised 90 for the first wicket in reply but wickets fell steadily after they were both out for 37 and, with Ryan McFadyean steaming in, Ticknall's ninth wicket fell on 201.

They survived, however, with skipper Graham Chamberlain 31 not out, to close on 215-9.

Alvaston & Boulton jumped back up the table with a second successive win, taking maximum points against Dunstall.

A&B's 152-9 did not look especially challenging but they bowled out Dunstall for 129, Derbyshire spinner Nayan Doshi taking 3-27.

There was a welcome maximum, too, for Quarndon, who eased away from the bottom three with a win at Lullington, who have now dropped to third from bottom themselves.

Captain Robin Williamson made 101 out of 207-8.

Then Mathew Dowman (4-32) and James Ede (3-22) hustled Lullington out for 129.