Pursuers take heart as leaders thwarted

FOR once, Ockbrook & Borrowash did not pull further away from their pursuers in the Beechwood Derbyshire Premier League.

Spondon, in second, and Chesterfield, in third, both won while Ockbrook were held to a draw by Lullington Park.

ton up: Johnny Owen stepped up with a century for Ockbrook.
early blow: Elvaston opener Lee Archer is bowled by Sandiacre's James Chapman (main picture). Archer begins his walke back to the pavilion (above left), while the Sandiacre team celebrate (left). Elvaston's Brett Crichton (below). Pictures by Leah McLaren LM120708C-7

But the Victoria Avenue side are still 41 points clear at the top after having much the better of their game at Lullington.

Johnny Owen, who has watched Matt Cassar and Matt Lineker share the batting spotlight for much of the season, stepped up with 102 as Ockbrook reached 238-6, with Charlie Ault adding 68.

Lullington were neither close to winning or in real danger of losing as they made 186-6 in response, Steve Dixon making 75 and Trevor Smith taking 4-44.

Chesterfield's impressive charge continues as they recorded their fourth win in the last five league games.

Tight bowling from Derbyshire's Kevin Dean did much to help them restrict Alvaston & Boulton to an inadequate 139-8 from their 50 overs at Raynesway.

And the game was over early as Chesterfield cruised past the target in one ball short of 35 overs for the loss of only one wicket.

Alan Gofton saw it through from the start with 61 not out and captain Alex Hibbert was there with him on 55 not out at the end.

Spondon are off-setting some under-par performances by taking maximum points when they do win.

Saturday's victory over Quarndon was their first for five matches but also their fifth 27-pointer of the season.

Their 225-7 was a team effort, with Joe Ashdown and Darren Yeomans passing 40 and Joe Kellogg and Ollie Baum passing 30 but, after that, victory owed much to opening bowler Paul Cook, who took 5-34, while Ben Ashdown weighed in with 3-8.

Cook bowled Ben de Vos with the first ball of the innings and took the first three wickets.

Mathew Dowman countered with aggression, scoring 67 from 56 balls, but when he was out at 92-7, there was no way back and he remained the only Quarndon man to reach double figures as they finished on 116 all out in 28.5 overs.

A winning draw was the least second-bottom Ticknall needed from their home game against Ilkeston Rutland if they were to keep the side ahead of them in the table within reach and, after a tight game reduced to 46 overs a side, they emerged with 17 points to Ilkeston's 11.