MATT LINEKER again extended his lead in the Derby Mortgage Advisors Premier League Player of the Year standings – and the big battle now appeares to be for second place.

The winner of the award takes a £250 prize put up by Derby Mortgage Advisors, but there is a useful £100 for second and £50 for third, those prizes supplied by the league.

Kevin Leatherday is currently second with 10 points despite collecting his first duck of the season on Saturday.

Before this weekend, no-one was on nine points – but five have now moved on to that score after good performances on Saturday.

Spondon's Joe Ashdown picked up two points with impressive figures of 5-70.

Will Challoner from Alfreton collected three after scoring 76 against third-placed Chesterfield in a losing effort. Ross Whiteley joins him in the standings after taking two points in the same match.

Dunstall's Matt Gouldstone also picked up three points with his 85 as they got a winning draw against Ticknall. Paul Borrington clinched a valuable point to in the same match, scoring 77, to stay among the front-runners.

In the Owzat Cricket County LeaguePlayer of the Week awards, Clay Cross captain Sunil Bhatt took the batting prize after a brilliant 166 in Division 2N against Darley Dale. His runs came out of Clay Cross total of 260 and hey then bowled out Darley Dale for 140.

In the bowling awards there were several very good performances. Asad Ali, of Belper Meadows, took 7-35 to pass 50 wickets for the season as they demolished Pilsley for 78, Ali grabbing the prized scalp of run machine Saeed Bin Nasir for 35.

West Hallam's Peter Hort had figures of 7-26 to top Ali's effort in Division 3S.

Hort's figures sent Elvaston seconds packing for only 71. Earlier, West Hallam had scored 205-6 from their 46 overs.

Mark Harland eclipsed the two other seven-wicket men with figures of 7-22 for Clay Cross seconds to leave Darley Abbey 76 all out. Clay Cross has earlier racked up 152-8 and Harland's effort made sure Clay Cross went away with the full 27 points.

But the winner of this week's bowling award goes to Mark Varley of Holmewood.

He had brilliant figures of 8-45 in Division 4N against South Wingfield seconds as they were bowled out for 82.

Holmewood firsts had scored 286 -7 from 46 overs.