IT'S all to play for in the Beechwood Derbyshire Premier League, as the top two go into the final weekend separated by only four points.

The biggest hope on both sides, of course, is that neither Ockbrook & Borrowash or Sandiacre Town win the title as a result of anything the weather might do this weekend.

Remarkably, the prospect that the title might be an issue going into the last weekend looked remote as recently as mid-July.

That was when Ockbrook steamrollered Ticknall to go 55 points clear.

At the time, the teams below them were shuffling places by taking points off each other and Ockbrook looked unstoppable.

Just as remarkably, that was, the last time that Ockbrook won.

They bludgeoned 326 runs the following week against Alfreton, the second time they had scored 300 against them in the season, but then had a taste of their own medicine as Alfreton hit 282 of their own without being bowled out.

Next up, they came within a ball of losing to Chesterfield at home, finishing with nine wickets down, well short of the visitors 244-8.

Ilkeston Rutland then ended their unbeaten record with a victory at Victoria Avenue.

The dullest of winning draws against Alvaston & Boultion was followed by Sandiacre's spectacular last-ball, one-wicket victory at Longmoor Lane last week to leave Ockbrook looking fraught.

Tomorrow they are at home to Quarndon, while Sandiacre are at home to A&B.

On Sunday, Ockbrook have potentially the more difficult game, away to Spondon, while Sandiacre visit Quarndon.

Ockbrook captain Neil Smith faces a late fitness battle to take part in the weekend.

Smith pulled up in the field with a calf strain at Sandiacre on Saturday after bowling only one over but he says it has responded well to treatment and he hopes to be able to play.

The respective strengths of the sides Quarndon are able to put out over the weekend could have a bearing on the title race – but the leading two know that it is their own performances which will really count.

Neither dare target anything less than two wins.

Waiting in the wings if either or both mess up are Chesterfield, who have enjoyed a storming second half to the season.

They are only 19 points behind Ockbrook and, if they could land two big wins themselves – at home to Lullington Park and away to Ticknall – a runners-up place at least could be waiting.

At the bottom, it would take a remarkable turn of events for either Ticknall or Elvaston to survive the drop.

Elvaston's window of opportunity, however, is their trip to Dunstall on Saturday. They are 27 points behind the Staffordshire side and a win might just pile on some pressure ahead of Sunday's matches.