Impressive Holmesfield look favourites
by Tommy Hilton, 21st July 2008

This weekend was all about qualification for finals day in the Winston Cup. Ridgeway managed it in a tight finish at Grindleford. Both sides had dispensed with Youlgreave Lodge with ease in their first game. Grindleford bowled out Lodge for just 15 in 8 overs, a total which Ollie Brown knocked off on his own in the first over and then Ridgeway kept them to 49-2 to win by 9 wickets. In the final game Ridgeway’s 96-7 looked gettable but the run rate crept up for Grindleford and eventually was too much as they fell just 3 short.

Holmesfield look favourites now as they set an impressive 169-6 from their 20 overs which Hathersage couldn’t match closing on 124-7. Game 2 was a more low scoring affair with Walkley managing 71-7 and Hathersage easing to victory. Walkley then set Holmesfield 103 for victory which they got with just 3 wickets down thanks to an unbeaten 67 from Crapper.

Whittington Wanderers are turning this season into one to remember as they moved into finals day with two comprehensive victories. Firstly they bowled out Transport for 56 and won by 6 wickets. Transport then set Zingari 132 to win but Zingari could only manage 30. Wanderers in game 3 showed little mercy as they shot out Zingari for just 37 and won by 8 wickets.

The final place in the semis goes to one of Stanton, De La Salle or Chesterfield Barbarians.

Two league games also took place with Millhouses II taking on Baslow in Division 3 and Youlgreave Lodge II taking on Weston Park Hospital II in Division 5. Millhouses ran into the in form Jim Ferguson who took 6-46 as Millhouses slumped to 82 all out. Ferguson then made a significant contribution with the bat of 42* to see Baslow home by 9 wickets.

A severe injury to Youlgreave Lodge’s Andrew Parnell led them to declare their innings on 57-4. WPH made light work of the run chase only losing one wicket.