THERE may be a clear leader in the race for the Beechwood Derbyshire Premier League title but the battle for second place is hotting up and two of the clubs who fancy their chances meet tomorrow at the County Ground in Derby.

Chesterfield and Ilkeston Rutland are each prime illustrations of how tight most of the league is – once Ockbrook & Borrowash's mighty 55-point lead is taken out of the equation.

Only a few weeks ago, both sides were floundering, with relegation a bigger concern than anything else.

But a run of four wins in five games carried Chesterfield to second place before last week's reverse against Dunstall – while Ilkeston have quickly followed their belated first win of the season with a second to leap into the top half.

So congested is the table, in fact, that only 33 points separates eight teams from second downwards.

It means that every point is vital – had Ilkeston won batting second instead of first at the weekend, for example, they would be four places worse off.

Chesterfield are back at the County Ground for a second time this season, as Derbyshire prepare to use Queen's Park again, and captain Alex Hibbert is keen that they should not be disheartened by last week's loss, after he gambled on a declaration in a rain-affected match and saw Dunstall pull off the sort of run chase they have not often threatened this season.

“We lost that one because we were trying to play positive attacking cricket in search of a result,” said Hibbert (pictured left).

“Some teams aren't doing that. Instead, they're playing percentage cricket.

“But look at Spondon – they haven't necessarily got the best team but they play positive cricket and it won them the title last season.

“We've had a good little run in the last few weeks and played some good cricket, which has been very pleasing.”

They have also fielded a more settled side during that run, after problems with availability early in the season, but they will be short-handed again tomorrow.

Hibbert himself misses out to attend his university graduation and Simon Lacey will take on the captaincy, while there is likely to be a first-team recall for Tim Kirk, still a very effective cricketer, who took six wickets for the seconds last week.

“We still think we can finish second,” said Hibbert.

“Take Ockbrook out of it and second place is anyone's. By the same token, it's so tight and, if you lose a couple, you could be bottom four again.”

Ilkeston captain Dave Smit knows that only too well. Even when his side could not win earlier in the season, they were having the better of a good few games and he remained convinced they would come good.

“The confidence is there now and we're turning up expecting to win games,” said Smit (pictured below).

“We were very pleased to get 27 points on Saturday against Alfreton. It wasn't a brilliant wicket and we did well to get 220 on it.

“When we had them nine down, I thought the chance had gone, and they were going to escape, but we got the last wicket in the last over.

“Now we see Chesterfield as the next target. They're the next team we'd like to reel in. With a good result tomorrow, we could close right up on them.

“We beat them on Sunday in the Premier Cup and I thought they were quite a similar side to us, so we'll be confident against them.

“We see top four as a very realistic target and second place is still there for the taking.”