SOUTH African fast bowler Ryan McFadyean blitzed Ilkeston Rutland to keep the Beechwood Derbyshire Premier League title race open.

The Sandiacre man took 6-20 as Ilkeston were shot out for only 63 in 20 overs – only a week after they had ended the unbeaten record of leaders Ockbrook & Borrowash.

Naturally, the target posed no problems for Sandiacre, who knocked the runs off for the loss of two wickets.

With Ockbrook forced to settle for a draw at home to Alvaston & Boulton, the gap is now only 17 points, with the two old rivals meeting at Sandiacre on Saturday.

Chesterfield are back in third place, and not completely out of the running, after beating defending champions Spondon, overtaking them in the process.

Oliver Baum battled to 54 and Joe Ashdown hit a more rapid 53 as Spondon reached 202-9.

Chasing is Chesterfield's speciality – all eight of their wins have come that way – and captain Alex Hibbert gave them the right base with 89, before he was fifth out at 169.

Ross Whiteley and Peter Camm saw them home without further loss.

Further down the table, there was a crucial clash at Alfreton, where Elvaston could conceivably have escaped the bottom two with a victory.

However, they fell nine runs short in a terrific contest, after Andy Gwatkin's 116 had led the home side to an imposing 259-6.

Lee Archer made 87 and Dan Wheeldon 44 in the reply but Elvaston lost their last wicket with eight balls left.

It was a vital third win of the season for Alfreton, who have eased their own concerns as a result.

Now it is Dunstall who are looking over their shoulders. They are 25 points ahead of Elvaston after a lacklustre draw at home to Quarndon, who set them 220-8, with Chris Paget on 91 not out.

Dunstall could only reach 133-8 in reply, Matt Dowman taking 4-38.