Ticknall close in as leaders are frustrated
SANDIACRE Town’s lead in the Beechwood Mazda-sponsored Derbyshire County League Premier Division was cut to nine points when they were denied by a battling Alvaston & Boulton.
Their draw allowed Ticknall to close the gap with an emphatic 10-wicket defeat of Eckington.
Sandiacre dominated after being asked to bat and piled up 265-6 after openers Scott McNeill (69) and James Chapman (50) put on 131.
Dan Birch added a quick 45 even though Chris Stevenson (5-61) applied the brakes.
A&B slipped to 43-2 but Chris McIlroy (59) held firm and Ahmed Raza (45 not out) helped A&B reach safety on 202-6.
A second century of the season from Ticknall skipper Paul Borrington (102 not out) saw his side bounce back from last week’s defeat to Ockbrook.
Surprising new ball pairing Waseem Fazal (3-38) and Wayne Madsen (4-42) had Eckington in trouble but a brilliant Archie Gleadall (101, 12 fours) fought a lone battle as his side was bowled out for 192.
Borrington (19 fours) and Tom Wood (81 not out) eased Ticknall to victory inside 36 overs.
Strugglers Elvaston were denied a potential first win of the season by the weather.
Simon Lillie (3-25) reduced Spondon to 73-5 in response to Elvaston’s 223 and they were still in trouble at 106-5 when the rain came.
Paul Allen (2-44) struck early for Spondon but Jake Harrold (48) and Ben Marsden (54) were followed by Elliott Lawley (40) in setting up a good total despite Joe Ashdown (4-47) and Chris Windmill (3-65).
Ockbrook & Borrowash took victory in a tight finish against Chesterfield, winning by five wickets with one delivery to spare.
Chesterfield slipped to 111-4 after Alex Hibbert (36) got them away strongly but Andrew Parkin-Coates (57) responded in style to take his side to 247-8.
The tally was to prove inadequate, however, with Rahib Ali (105) sharing an opening stand of 73 with Mykylo Bird (31) and although Kieron Garside (3-45) struck back, Jacob Conners (63 not out) joined Ali in a stand of 72 for the fourth wicket to seal the win.
Wirksworth & Middleton decided to bat against Swarkestone but skipper Ben Perry-Taylor’s decision backfired as they were bowled out for 91 in 26 overs by Will Davis (4-51), Lewis Hearne (3-28) and Sam Stuart (3-11).
It took Swarkestone openers Luke Thomas (30 not out) and Chris Durham (50 not out) only 14.5 overs to complete a 10-wicket victory.
Denby lifted themselves off the foot of the table with a solid sixwicket win over Rolleston.
Harry Wanford (4-71) had Rolleston in trouble but Jason Niemand (111) hit his first century for the club, with two sixes and 11 fours. Richard Green (36) and Alex Britton (35 not out) took their side to 234-7.
Graham Dent (3-48) left Denby 37-2 but Chris Fletcher (51) and Peter Burgoyne (103 not out, one six 15 fours) inspired a recovery and Kudzai Maunze (50) provided support as they finished the job with almost three overs to spare.