Local cricket: Ockbrook prepare to face reigning champs

THERE will be no hard feelings when the current champions visit Victoria Avenue tomorrow.

Even though Chesterfield sent them into the winter cursing their luck after pinching the Beechdale Derbyshire Premier League title from under their noses, Ockbrook & Borrowash captain Neil Smith says making sure there are no slip-ups this time – and not revenge – will be the only incentive for his team.

Ockbrook saw the remainder of what had been a lead of 50 points disappear on a wet final weekend last season. As they watched the rain fall at Spondon, Chesterfield were somehow able to squeeze in a game at Ticknall and a maximum haul gave them the title by three points.

"I was very frustrated at the time but I'm probably a bit more philosophical about it now," said Smith.

"Chesterfield won the league and credit to them. They have a good young team and I certainly have no axe to grind with Chesterfield.

"Of course we were disappointed with the fact that we ended up runners-up last year but we had no-one to blame but ourselves for that.

"All we can do is put that right this season. We have been playing alright but we've not done anything spectacular and there is a long way to go. We certainly aren't taking anything for granted."

The recruitment of Kevin Dean has been a big factor in Ockbrook's rise to the top of the table this season, even though Trevor Smith is still missing with a hamstring problem.

But the last two weekends have provided reminders that their position is not invulnerable, with Sandiacre Town closing the gap to 26 points as Ockbrook were held by Alfreton and lost to Dunstall.

"We didn't play that badly against Dunstall, it's just that Garry Park batted incredibly well and won them the game," added Smith. "We just couldn't get him out. You come across those innings only once every three or four years."

Chesterfield are third in the table, 50 points off the top, following their win at home to Quarndon and their captain Alex Hibbert, who top-scored with 71 in that match, says he doesn't feel his side has anything to prove against Ockbrook.

"I'm sure it was very frustrating for Ockbrook at the time but you have to remember that we won more games than any other team last year and we deserved to be champions," he said.

"What happened last year has been talked to death and it doesn't count for anything now. This has to be just another game of cricket for us.

"I'm sure Ockbrook will want the title back and they have been playing some good cricket but we cannot control what Ockbrook do. We know we have to look after our own game."

Hibbert has been happy with the way his team has handled carrying the crown so far this season.

"There is that bit more pressure and expectation that goes with winning the title and from the other teams' point of view, everybody always wants to beat the champions," he added.

"But I think we have handled that pretty well and we've played some decent stuff."