CLAY CROSS are destined for Division One after Sunil Bhatt won the battle of the batsmen at Pilsley on Saturday.

Pilsley's run machine, Saeed Bin Nasir, is now only 10 runs short of 1,500 for the season but he was out for a modest 47 on Saturday as his side managed 206-5.

Then Clay Cross captain Sunil Bhatt took over, crashing 131 not out to lead his team to an emphatic nine-wicket victory.

Richard Greenhalgh was with him at the end on 60 not out.

The popular Bhatt completed his own 1,000 runs for the season during his innings and looks certain to lead his side to the Division 2N title in his fifth season at the club.

They have now established a 55-point lead over second-placed Duffield, who in turn lead Belper Meadows by 18 in the chase for second.

Duffield reached that position by bowling Meadows out for 82 on their own patch on Saturday, then cruising to a 10-wicket victory.