Yorkshire and Derbyshire League: Parkhead run all the way by Uni Staff in opening-day win

Parkhead started their defence of the Mylnhurst Yorkshire and Derbyshire Cricket League title with a win, but it was a close run thing. Sheffield University Staff made a useful 175, then made a depleted Parkhead fight all the way. Stand in skipper Jamie Carrington made a valuable 71 to steer his side to the win by three wickets.

Stocksbridge were bowled out for 143 (J Murfin 41 D Ward 6-24), which Holmesfield eased past with just four down. Hollinsend Meths started their title challenge with a mightily impressive 246-8 (R Sharp 81*) and sent back Sheffield Civil Service for 164 (J Montgomery 65*).

The returning Hathersage struggled, dismissed for 79 (K O’Sullivan 4-13) at Beauchief, De La Salle going to the victory by six wickets (T Barney 43). Totley Sports were 191 all out (Z Javed 77 T Weller 4-24), bowling out newly promoted Sheffield Collegiate VP for 100 (C Stewart 43 W Aslam 5-42).

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In Division Two, Hollinsend Meths’ Alan Wake hit a magnificent 130 out of a massive 239-4, before Sheffield Medics folded to 110 all out. Title contenders Calver came unstuck, sent back for 84 by relegated Hallam III (P Boot 44* E Saunders 6-31). Hallam III went to the win by eight wickets (T Balmer 62).

Sheffield Centralians started their campaign to return to the top flight with a comfortable win. They scored 141 (W Annison 4-40), which was beyond Ashford, who were all out for 97 (S Davies 43 S Atkin 4-28). Promoted Parkhead II had a bad day at the office, shot out for 54 (M Kibble 5-9) to lose to Hundall by 10 wickets.

In the Division Three early season meeting between two of the Division’s top sides, Hallam IV made 237-8, as Matthew Hopkins hit an imperious 125 not out. Telecom Sports replied gamely, but ended their overs on 166 (A Mohammed 59 J Hague 57 J Ferguson 5-25).

Ridgeway started life in Division Three by scoring 160-9 (T Gaubert 4-24), Grindleford sneaking past the target with 8 down (T Gaubert 59* M Cranfield 4-37). Bakewell racked up 222-6 (Pearce 66* Reed 54), Coal Aston III closed on 176-7 (Steele 47 Cross 42). Youlgrave Lodge were bowled out for 104 by the wiles of Paul Lally (5-24), but De La Salle II collapsed to 97 all out (P Williams 4-15). Stocksbridge II made 148-8 (S Fenn 5-38), but in a thrilling finish, Sheffield Transport snatched victory by a single wicket (P Deignan 44).

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The highest scoring game of the day in Division Four came at Warminster Road as relegated Sheffield University Staff II looked for an immediate bounce-back with 192-6 (A Cassels 52 J Bell 56). Promoted Chesterfield III had other ideas as Westwell (79) and Hiron (78*) steered the visitors to a seven wicket success. There was also joy for two more promoted sides. Walkley were sent back for just 79 (Z Cowen 4-11 C Turner 4-23) on the road at Richmond, who crept over the finishing line with 82-8 (B Yardley 6-15). Telecom Sports II were skittled for just 58 (S Shooter 5-16) as Norton Woodseats II cantered to an eight wicket win.

Unfortunately, Sheffield Civil Service II were unable to raise a side, thereby giving the points to their opponents Whittington Wanderers.

In Division Five, there was opening day success for new team to the league, Sheffield Superkings. They were dismissed for 148 (Knowles 4-12) away at Baslow II. Roshan (4-21) was their go-to man as the Derbyshire side were sent back for just 69.

Tideswell were restricted to 109-9 at Brearley Park, but Whittington Wanderers were bowled out for 69 despite 35 from Andy Brocklehurst. Greg Taylor was destroyer in chief with 6-13. A week of dry weather saw Hathersage II tackle matters on the pitch by dismissing Coal Aston IV for just 40 (A Morton 5-11). A ten wicket win was the outcome. Hallam V were bowled out for 124 but turned the tables on Chesterfield Barbarians III, who were dismissed for just 73.