KEVIN Leatherday scored two ranking points on Saturday to close in on Matt Lineker's increasingly fragile lead in the Derby Mortgage Advisors Premier League Player of the Year race.

There were two points also for Spondon's Joe Ashdown and three for Quarndon's Matt Dowman, who both still have a chance of claiming a prize in the awards scheme, with cash up for grabs for the players finishing first, second and third.

They joined Ockbrook's Johnny Owen in joint third place in the standings.

LEADERS: 21 Matt Lineker (Ockbrook).

17 Kevin Leatherday (Ilkeston).

14 Johnny Owen (Ockbrook), Joe Ashdown (Spondon), Matt Dowman (Quarndon).

In the Owzat Cricket County League Players of the Week competition, Vaughan Sinfield of Cromford Meadows Seconds turned in a stunning performance to pick up the £15 bowling prize.

Sinfield bowled unchanged for 13.4 overs to take 9-28 as Riddings Thirds were bowled out for 98. Vinnie McLean took the other wicket early on, so there was only briefly a chance of a 10-wicket haul for Sinfield.

His side cruised to an eight-wicket victory in Division 7N. Sinfield edged out Daniel Robbins' 8-50 for Alfreton in the same division.

In a string of good batting performances, Stuart Hannan came out on top with 141 not out in Castle Donington's 258-4 declared on their way to a 106-run win over Rolleston thirds in Division 5S.