PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS BEAT LEADERS TO GO TOP

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 138 FOR 1 DUFFIELD 3'S 136 FOR 9

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 7 NORTH AT RUPERT ST

25 JUNE 2022 --- 1.30PM

MATCH WINNING 85* FOR JAMES ALDIS PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS V DUFFIELD

Pilsley and Clay Cross secured a comprehensive nine wicket victory against league leaders Duffield and in the process sprung themselves to the top of the division seven north table.  After a tight bowling display that never let the visitors get away, with opening bowler Steve Gardener taking 3 for 25, it turned to the batting performance of James Aldis [85] who along with the stable support of Steve Wood took the Rupert Street side over the line with just twenty one and a half overs used.

A GREAT DAY FOR PILSLEY CAPTAIN TRISTAN BOWERS

A return to Pilsley really had to be top of the list with this enticing top of the table clash as visitors Duffield were in town or village more to the fact.  The weather apart from a breeze was according to the BBC forecast set fair with no rain in it.  The first thirty minutes so had seen me walk on through two showers until about ten minutes short of the ground the rain that had started as I entered Pilsley go all the more heavy just short of the ground so the handily placed tree was then used to try to retain some dryness.

BEN JOHNSON A DETERMINED PERFORMANCE FROM THE OPENER

Arrival at the ground saw a different day now with the clouds having passed over and the sun was out with Pilsley fielding after winning the toss.

The opening pair for Duffield Ben Johnson [17] and Phillip Tomlinson [19] were cautious in their approach to what appeared some uneven bounce with the odd ball rising sharply.  It was though Tomlinson who went first with the score on 32 caught in the slips by Ian Worthy off opening bowler Gardener.  The top order was affected badly by Gardener hen he sent back 3 and 4 Keith Blake [4] and Niall Watson [5], respectfully,  the former bowled and the latter caught by Steve Wood.

STEVE GARDENER OFF THE FLOOR 

By the second ball of the first over from Pete Lacey Duffield had been reduced to 50 for 4 when Shaun Bosworth was dismissed for a duck playing out at a wider delivery that Worthy held onto close in again.

This brought Giles Brown [67] to the crease and he would score just short of half of the visitors total with a sensible approach but certainly an ability to hit the bad ball.  The total at the half way stage was just 61 and Pilsley could oh but dream at this stage that they may be a favourable result against the leaders.

CAMERON LEE IN THE FIELD SOON TO TAKE A WICKET WITH HIS FIRST BALL

Opener Johnson had hung around with determination but when he felt the need to break out he lofted a delivery from Aldis skyward who followed through onto the side wickets to take the catch after a loud shout that it was his kept everybody else at a distance, with the score on 86 for 5.  Eight runs later Worthy took his third catch in the gully off the first ball from Cameron Lee to send back Denis Saunders [1].

PETE LACEY TAKES THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS WICKET

Worthy would come on for a spell after his close in exploits and would take the wicket of Brown when he dislodged the bails for the eighth wicket to fall as Duffield struggled to 136 for 9 in their 40 overs.

The bowlers for Pilsley put in an impressive display with Gardener 3 for 26 topping the wicket takes alongside Worthy 2 for 12, Aldis 2 for 31 and a wicket each for Lee and Lacey.

PETE LACEY TAKES OFF

The tea interval walk took in the usual small amble nothing much different noted except for some distance weather that looked threatening something that in the Duffield innings we had avoided as some really heavy storms went down the A61 valley.  So much so that games at Ashover and Wingerworth this afternoon all ended up abandoned games.

GILES BROWN TOP SCORER FOR DUFFIELD

Back nicely in time for the restart and one again the opening bowlers were looking good in the form of Shaun Bosworth and Niall Watson who forced some playing and missing from the Pilsley openers. 

A solid base though was put in place by Pete Lacey [12] and Steve Wood [29*] who would carry his bat through the reply.

When Lacey fell caught by Tomlinson off Watson the question marks may have been bouncing around that this could be a tight game of course with Aldis coming to the crease you knew a lot would depend on his response.  Thankfully the Pilsley number 3 joined Wood in a cautious approach that would see runs coming but in a sensible manner looking for the gaps with some excellently placed shots through the cover fielders.

KYLE BUTTERWORTH WALKING IN

The harshest of the rain was now amassing somewhere in the distance near Crich and the biggest hope was that this front would take the same pathway as the previous three or so and as some small spots from the tail end of it drifted away the match and the Pilsley response had avoided what called off other games nearby after the downpour it unleashed on the grounds.

PETE LACEY OPENING FOR PILSEY

Slowly but slowly Aldis moved into fourth gear and Wood looked more confident in his shot making as the visitors tried seven bowlers to look for a breakthrough and a way back into this game.  It was not coming though as Aldis passed through his half century and was now into full mode finishing on 85 not out alongside Wood who hit the wining runs after the third ball of the twenty second over.

STEVE WOOD HITS OUT FOR PILSLEY

The bowling from Duffield saw a wide and varied effort to break the Pilsley resolve but in the end just Watson 1 for 23 in seven would return a wicket.  

THE RAIN SWEEPS DOWN THE VALLEY BUT ITS FINE AT RUPERT ST

A superb afternoon for Pilsley and Clay Cross with a comprehensive win that captain Tristan Bowers could have dreamt about before the game and with the weather playing games in the near distance a game that thankfully played to a conclusion even though that blustery wind was in evidence for much of the afternoon, so often the case at Rupert street.

ALDIS PREPARING FOR ANOTHER BIG HIT

The return to base started in a small shower but finished in bright sunshine and after watching a great effort like this today from Pilsley I must say there was a nice spring in the old bloggers step, till next time lads.

ALDIS SWEEPS

CHESTERFIELD GET HOME IN CLOSE FINISH

CHESTERFIELD 3'S 111 FOR 8 CLOWNE 4'S 110 ALL OUT

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 9 NORTH AT DEER PARK

19 JUNE 2022 --- 1.30PM

DAVID WALKER IN CHESTERFIELD V CLOWNE TOWN

This additional little Sunday meander out to the neighbouring village of Wingerworth produced a low scoring and close finish with Chesterfield in the end getting home by two wickets when captain Eddie Grant secured the four which surpassed the Clowne Town total, but the contribution from Toby Whiteley [48*], who carried his bat through the innings, would make the difference alongside his two wickets.

A bit like Clay Cross and believe me they have never been compared alike but Wingerworth have no cricket club anymore but do have a ground that thankfully has continued to be used by Chesterfield 3's, it as also the home this season of Morton Colliery CC but they have pulled out of the league.

The twenty five minute journey found visa control absent it was after all a Sunday but shall we just say there as always been a feel of something different about the village being slightly better than everybody else around them, apparently it was at one stage one of the poorest parishes in the country but don't tell todays 4 wheel drive and SUV residents.

All that said it was the residence of the Hunloke family and their hall situated on the eastern edge of the village but entrance today would be via one of the selection of lodge gate which would have I guess taken you onto their land.  The un-adopted Central Drive brings you onto much of the activity area of this massively expanded village three miles south of Chesterfield.  Here there is a fishing pond and there is a Clay Cross connection as well as it is controlled by their angling club, bowling green, modern tennis courts, a former football pitch again no longer in use by a senior village side and the cricket ground.  The immediate area also offers a small selection of retial a Spa shop, although it may be more mini Waitrose territory, hairdressers, a new and exciting vegan eatery plus the chemist and medical centre.  Oh and did I mention a further small pond adjacent to these?

ENTRY VIA THE LODGE GATES 1794

So a very basic background to the immediate area of Wingerworth we find ourselves in today as there area other shops and a library plus a village hall within the community too, so much as I rib the village it may just be jealousy at what they actually have here.

The cricket ground is in the area of Deer Park and from Allendale Road the overview used to have a lovely backdrop of the hills around the former Bolehill Quarry this though has become tree blocked now and wasn't as impressive as I remember.  Last time I watched a game here I probably played in it for Ankerbold as a junior.

The wicket in use is situated well towards the far side of Allendale leaving a massive boundary to one side but towards the tennis courts a very short boundary which is aided by the slope down to the edge as soon as the wicket area finishes there is also a slope towards Central Drive so although this is a nice setting the outfield leaves a little to be desired, certainly when fielding.  The ground also has extensive netting some of which have to be laboriously put up on a match day to protect the nearby housing expansion and other sporting facilities, there are also a couple of signs for park amblers to be aware of cricket balls potentially leaving the immediate ground.

A UNIQUE WINGERWORTH FEATURE

This fixture was an additional after concerns about yesterdays game at Grassmoor with the weather but even though we got through that one I thought well 'why not' so here we were fully appreciating there would be a fair collection of young players with a selection of experienced ones but it has to be said this was a very enjoyable game in which Chesterfield's young bowlers were very impressive.

So a brief overview of the proceedings saw Clowne win the toss and bat with opener and keeper Brayden Scott [18] top scoring with a determined effort others to reach double figures were Troy Greveson [17], Gregory Cox [12] and valuable contributions in the latter stages captain Jordan Coates [12] and Adam Fox [15] but when the latter was out caught by Kai Evans off the bowling of Ben Jenkins three overs were left unused and the score had only just got over the three figure mark.

In the bowling stakes it was all economical and all contributed with Ben Jenkins impressing although frustratingly he had just one wicket to show for his eight overs which went for just seven runs.  James Taylor returned 3 for 15, Whiteley 2 for 12 from half a dozen overs, Kelon Charles took two wickets but could easily have had a 'five for' and there was a wicket apiece for Christian Sullivan and Alfie Woodhouse.

KELON CHARLES OPENING THE BOWLING FOR CHESTERFIELD

Chesterfield set off well with runs flowing fairly easily in this low scoring encounter with top order double figures from Charles [12], Evans [13] and Ethan Radford [11] but when William Hallam fell for a duck the score was 46/4 and Clowne knew their chance was to bowl Chesterfield out.  A stand of forty five for the fifth wicket which included David Walker [11] get the home side nearer to the target but a late wobble saw the eight wicket fall at 105 and they were still a little way short.  Captain Eddie Grant rescued that thought though with that four with just over thirteen overs to spare but only two wickets remaining.  The boundary saw Whiteley carry his bat through the innings but agonisingly fall two short of his half century.

The bowling for Clowne saw Paul Jaffray return 3 for 11 with two apiece for Gary Parkin and Fox alongside one for Jordan Coates.

An enjoyable local afternoon out with more than enough interest throughout in an intriguing low scoring game. 

CLOWNE TOWN JUST A FEW RUNS SHORT OF A POSSIBLE WIN

KIVETON PROVIDE TOUGH TEST FOR GRASSMOOR

GRASSMOOR WORKS 167 FOR 6 KIVETON PARK COLLIERY 168 FOR 7

BASSETLAW AND DISTRICT DIVISION ONE AT BARNES PARK

18 JUNE 2022 --- 1PM

SCOREBOARD MOVING AROUND FOR GRASSMOOR V KIVETON PARK

Probably the toughest home test of the season for Grassmoor saw them about thirty runs shy of a winning target even with captain Adam Bedford [59] and John Donaldson [30] providing vital impetus they were though surpassed today by Ian Briggs [63] and 3 for 33 in a match winning performance for Kiveton Park Colliery.

LUKE JAMES WITH AN ADMIRING GLANCE FROM WORKS PLAYERS

There hasn't not been a Saturday lost to the weather in a season since I have started blogging cricket and although its only mid June its been going well to break that record, until that was this weekends forecast.  Prediction all week of downpours and thunder made today look a non starter but thankfully early afternoon looked less likely to see any wet stuff come Saturday.  Grassmoor had nicely suggested on their Facebook page that you should still come along after all you could watch the world go by from the comfort of the pavilion, sometimes there is nothing better in cricket than the clubhouse and social side.

ECONOMICAL BOWLING FROM JACK ROPER FOR KIVETON

A steady and cautious start from Luke James [20] and Mark Crain [13] but it was hard going with some superbly economical bowling from the visitors opening bowlers Brandon Dawson 1 for 16 and Jack Roper although wicket less also went for just 19 in his likewise 8 overs.  The arrival of Bedford and Donaldson pushed the score along with their attacking style and a quick fire score from Any Woolven [11] including one massive maximum out of Barnes Park set up a defendable total.  It could have been much lower by the half way stage Grassmoor were only fractionally above two an over.  

The visitors bowling had seen Briggs concede 33 runs but the three wickets were in the bag with one apiece for Mark Firth, Alex Gilbert and Dawson.

FELLOW KIVETON OPENING BOWLER BRANDON DAWSON ALSO ECONOMICAL

Like a creature of habit a quick amble to the country park and back took out the tea interval as the first of the rain started intermittently coming down and it would blight much of the Kiveton reply including the last few overs were it remained quite dark and got much sharper with the horizontal stuff.

LUKE JAMES OPENS FOR GRASSMOOR

Taking cover under the trees on the road side of the park didn't help with the photograph as the light started to dim but a cautious start from Kiveton soon took on a more confident look.  Openers keeper Alfie Mills [15] and captain Alex Gilbert [7] went cheaply they lost Harry White [4] but Jack Fleetwood [26] and John Leaver [25*] all added vital runs with Briggs as the home total came ever nearer.  Two late wickets with the score one run short and level took the home sides wicket take to seven and made the score line look a little closer, although there was also just short of seven overs to spare.

Jon Kenward Nash, Ian Bradley and Donaldson all returned two wickets with Jamie Hawkins the other finally dismissing man of the match Briggs to a sharp catch by Bradley in the slips.

HOME CAPTAIN ADAM BEDFORD TOP SCORES WITH 59

Disappointing to see my first Grassmoor home loss of the season but clearly no disgrace against what has been the strongest sign with pedigree to grace Barnes Park so far.  A close to the afternoon that was spoiled from a watching point of view by the closing in weather but it was as ever great to get a game in when on Friday it looked like a day in with TV horse racing.

A CLASSY SHOT FROM ANDY WOOLVEN FOR GRASSMOOR

Thankfully it wasn't too far back to base but even with the umbrella it was a pretty wet lower half that arrived back about twenty five minutes later.  Lesson is don't always plan around the forecast and even when it did turn inclement well done to both of these sides and the umpires for getting on with the game.

IAN BRIGGS 63 AND 3 FOR 33 MAN OF THE MATCH

With pre season football having already started in Wales for their European fixtures its also surprising that locally the first reachable fixtures are available in two weeks time to that end an additional cricket fixture for tomorrow, Sunday, has been pencilled in and hopefully a small blog produced in the next few days if you fancy a look.

JOHN LEAVER A DETERMINED 25 FOR KIVETON

PILSLEY WINNING DRAW AS WHIT HOLD ON BY ONE WICKET

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 199 FOR 9 WHITTINGTON WANDERERS 122 FOR 9

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 7 NORTH AT RUPERT ST

11 JUNE 2022 --- 1.30PM

JAMES ALDIS AND STEVE WOOD SET OFF IN PILSLEY V WHITTINGTON

Pilsley and Clay Cross secured a convincing winning draw against fellow division 7 north title contenders Whittington Wanderers in this local derby at Rupert Street. 

Having posted 199/9 the home side set a challenging total that again featured the quality of James Aldis [71] and 2 for 16 with the ball but he was ably supported by a determined contribution from opener Pete Lacey [27].  Whittington came up well short but looked safe, that was before a late fall of wickets with Graham Turner starring with 4 for 9 pushing them to within a wicket of defeat.

PETE LACEY A DETERMINED OPENING

All set fair for a fast return to Pilsley and having failed to secure accommodation in my adopted village it was the forty minute walk that I could probably now do in my sleep.  Upon arrival at the ground play had just commenced and the visitors had asked the home side to have a bat.  The weather changed very much like the fortunes of this game you did not quite know what to expect, it started with a strong breeze in sunshine developing to dark clouds with a wind that got up to howling proportions with two short rain interruptions before ending in bright sunshine admittedly with the wind still very much to the fore.

HAYDEN EVANS STEAMS IN FOR WANDERERS

Pilsley had negotiated the opening five overs bowled in a restrictive fashion by the accuracy of Hayden Evans and Craig Redford-Eyre but in the next the first wicket fell that of Turner [8] lbw to the latter with the score on fourteen.  That brought Aldis to the crease to join fellow opener Lacey there was a persistence needed to survive and the latter showed this in abundance while Aldis could gradually move into his free flowing style with the big shots coming out towards the end of his innings.  It was Lacey [27] who fell first of the two in the eighteenth over bringing Steve Wood [22] to the middle.  After his cautious start he found a destructive streak were big hitting became his friend before being Adam Rhodes only victim as he removed the bails, leaving the home side on 130/3 in the 29th over.

JAMES ALDIS IN STRIKING FORM AGAIN

The push was on for 200 as a reasonable target but Aldis was lost to the cause when he was stumped by Daniel Weaver off David K Whiteley going for another big hit the score had only moved along by four more runs.  Captain Tristan Bowers would make a quick fire twenty four and there was some mighty hits from Shaun Fisher [27] to keep the total moving along, Bowers being particularly unlucky caught by an excellent low down catch by Redford-Eyre off Whiteley.  The closing stages would see the home side make it to 199 and a nice round target for Whittington was set.

For the visitors Redford-Eyre and Whiteley were the wicket taking stars with the former returning 4 for 38 and the latter 4 for 42 opening bowler Evans proved a little unfortunate to show no wickets but produced a good display going for just 19 off his nine overs.  

SHAUN FISHER IN LAUNCH MODE

By now regular readers will know the tea interval walk was via the old pit canteen and with a return just in time to see the Whittington openers take to the field.

It was a shaky start with runs being particular hard to come by as the opening overs from Bowers and Aldis again restricted the visitors but also proved a threat.  The threat came to fruition when Aldis bowled James Linacre for no score in the sixth over leaving Whittington on 3/1.  Stephen Barnett [4] was dismissed by Bowers and the visitors were now 16/2 and in need of a firm stand to push their challenge along and that's just what they got.  Alex Gough [34] joined opener and keeper Weaver [52] at the crease, the latter showed real determination and succeeded in a much deserved half century.  To the Wanderers cause though the pair put on 82 for the third wicket before the frugal Gareth Hatton bowled Gough.

DANIEL WEAVER HALF CENTURY FOR WHITTINGTON

With ten overs remaining the chase looked on with the reply at 101 for 3 but shortly afterwards Weaver was trapped lbw by Turner and the wind seemed to go out of the visitors sails.  There was then a steady flow of wickets with Garry Hill [7] , captain Adam Bird [5] and Adam Rhodes [3] dismissed the score had moved along to just 117 for 7 when the latter fell to Turner off the last ball of the 38th.  

ALDIS SENDS BACK JAMES LINACRE

With the run chase long given up by Whittington it looked unlikely that Pilsley would take the seven wickets required before Weaver fell but now there was an outside chance as the clock ticked past 7pm on a bright north east Derbyshire evening.  Aldis had returned for his second spell and bowled Dan Turner without scoring and it was 119/8.  Entering the last over Pilsley needed two wickets Turner came in off his minimalistic approach and the first four balls sailed by without too much risk.  But the fifth ball found a way past Whiteley [0] who heard the click of the disturbed bails.  As the sun shone and the wind brushed its way across the Rupert Street ground last man Redford Eyre came to the crease Turner ambled in and with close in fielders surrounding him and despite the howls of an appeal for lbw he survived the final ball to secure a losing draw for his side.

In the bowling stakes adding to Turners 4 and 2 for Aldis was 1 apiece for Lacey, Bowers and Hatton.  The tight bowling from the opening pair saw Aldis and Bowers concede just 16 each from their nine overs, with the award for economical returns going to Hatton 9-3-11-1.

GRAHAM TURNER SOME FASHIONABLE BOWLING

A game to equal the opening game of the season at Grassmoor which would probably have surpassed it if that final wicket could have been taken.  It was a superb performance from the home side against a challenging side and the 20 points take them to second in a very tight league table.

As ever an enjoyable visit to Pilsey somebody could have done with locating the 'OFF' switch for the wind machine but as ever on the ridge you know the weather will always be more extreme than elsewhere.

NOT OUT CALL AS PILSLEY APPEAL FOR A LAST BALL VICTORY

CAPTAIN BEDFORD BLASTS GRASSMOOR TO VICTORY

GRASSMOOR WORKS 205 FOR 2 BLYTH 203 FOR 7

BASSETLAW AND DISTRICT LEAGUE ONE AT BARNES PARK

4 JUNE 2022 --- 1PM

GREAT AFTERNOON FOR GRASSMOOR CAPTAIN BEDFORD

Grassmoor captain Adam Bedford played a massive part in their victory over basement club Blyth at Barnes Park.  With an unbeaten century and 3 for 34 with the ball he led his side to victory after the visitors, residing in bottom spot, looked to have posted a challenge total of 203 for 7 from their 40 overs.  

Thankfully local cricket was available again and where better than what has now become my nearest club after crossing the village boundary, passports, visas checked and all that I was allowed into Grassmoor on what was a overcast and cold afternoon for watching at least with the wind, in fact it felt more like end of season September than June.  Still can't grumble most of the cricket before as been shirt sleeved stuff so far this season.

JOHN DONALDSON FLYNG HIGH FOR GRASSMOOR

The sports pavilion in Barnes Park had been completely replaced from its old wooden structure to a new modern establishment which both football and cricket have been using for a year but due to the problems of recent times had not been officially opened but it was great to see that on the Thursday before the game it received that honour.  That honour fell to Grassmoor legend Edwin 'tat' Smith former Derbyshire County Cricket Club player and coach who we met at the game against Blidworth at the start of the season, so a lovely gesture from the club.

JOHN KENWARD NASH THREE WICKETS FOR GRASSMOOR

There was of course a limitation to spectators today in the conditions and it was a day for keeping the coat zipped up and moving around.  Grassmoor won the toss and put Blyth in to bat and with the visitors struggling for form there was a wonder of whether to expect an early finish but that theory was soon put to bed with 55 put on for the first wicket before Carl Curran [18] fell caught by captain Bedford off the bowling of John Kenward Nash, indeed the spinner took out the top three of the visitors line up Daniel Jarvis [46] and Scott Hammond [16].  There was a steady stream of players getting established but failing to go on to make a big score indeed the top eight all got into double figures but a constant was the fall of wickets and here Bedford accounted for Rob Davy [20], Luke Dymyd [16] and Ryan Stubbins [10] with the other wicket that of Geoff Cooper [16] run out by Andy Woolven.  But the visitors stuck at the task and were some would have thrown their innings away they made sure they batted their forty overs out with captain Thomas Fisher [13*] and Mathew Bowen [2*] there at the close.

Grassmoor had Bedford with his triple and Kenward Nash returned 3 for 37.

MARK CRAIN GRASSMOOR WORKS CC

There was still a chance to purchase a few draw tickets even though there was little crowd there today and credit to the lady who undertakes this for the club on a match day.  As previously mentioned so many clubs don't seem to bother with things like this or with their social media accounts but Grassmoor have kept theirs going this season which is always great for their profile and of course you just never know who might be taking a look at you as a club.

ANDY WOOLVEN AND CARL BOWLING ARM FOLDING CONTEST

Tea interval breaks seem to take in similar walks at Pilsley its the old pit canteen walk and here at Grassmoor a stretch to the country park and nearby housing estate to keep the joints moving before a return sees the umpires walking to the middle for the Grassmoor reply.

MARK CRAIN 48 FOR GRASSMOOR

That reply didn't start in the best of ways when Woolven [4] fell on the last ball of he first over but it brought Bedford [100*] to the crease with opener Mark Crain[48] they put on 131 for the second wicket and moved through the gears to set a firm base for the home side to confidently approach the target.  When Crain fell it brought John Donaldson [34] to the crease and he hit a quick flurry that saw 'works' get on top of the scoring rate and allow a sensible approach of stroking the ball to all parts of the outfield as Bedford secured his century with a single that saw Donaldson glance the next ball to the boundary to secure victory by eight wickets with just over four overs to spare.

For Blyth there was a wicket for Dymyd and Jack Tarr but it was a hard afternoon in the field after an encouraging performance with the bat.

CRAIN AND BEDFORD IN MID WICKET DISCUSSION

A superb effort from Grassmoor and non more so than Bedford but of course this had been a team effort with a team innings building score from Crain before Donaldson could come in and take advantage late on.  Mention should also go to Kenward Nash who took out the top three on the Blyth scorecard when it looked like they just might get away.

The afternoon called for a brisk walk back to base to warm up and ready for some more cricket next week.

ADAM BEDFORD HITTS OUT FOR GRASSMOOR WORKS