Alrewas cash in on catch-up fixture

THE weather meant all but one of Saturday’s matches in Greenhouse Café Division One were abandoned mid-contest.

But the rain relented on Sunday to allow Alrewas to take over in second place, beating Sawley by 115 runs to make the most of their game in hand on their closest rivals for the second promotion spot, Rolleston.

Matt Frend (55), Stephen Cole (60) and Ben Foley (58) took Alrewas to 230 all out, recovering from 23-3 as Renaldo Holder (3-53) and Muhammad Atif (4-47) again proved a handful.

Only Riccardo Small-boyce (35) caused Alrewas problems with the bat, however, with Frend (4-39) sending Sawley to 115 all out.

Alrewas batted to 196-8 against Ilkeston Rutland on Saturday, with Gareth Woolley 56 and Ben Foley 63 not out, but Ilkeston’s reply was only two overs old when rain brought a halt.

The top-two clash between Rolleston and leaders Alfreton lasted only 24 overs, during which time Alfreton had recovered from 22-2 to 94-2.

Lullington Park bowled themselves into a strong position against Clifton, Paul Dawson (5-21) sending the home side to 129 all out.

A revised target of 130 from 48 overs seemed a long way off for Lullington at 22-3, however, when the weather intervened.

In the Premier Division, opening pair Tom Wood and Paul Borrington were at their best for Ticknall to set up a 115-run victory over Spondon at the Grange.

Wood made 130, with three sixes and 17 fours, while Borrington’s 84 included 11 fours. Together, they put on 193 for the first wicket before Chris Windmill (4-53) finally broke through.

Rain forced the teams off at 245-4 after 41.5 overs and it seemed for a while that might be the end of the contest.

However, the rain eased off to leave Spondon with a Dls-revised target of 201 in 26 overs, which proved far to much to ask.

Wood (2-30) claimed two early wickets and strikes from Jack Gorbert (4-16) and Matt Smyth (2-30) left Ticknall comfortable winners. Spondon were bowled out for 126.

Ticknall remain in second spot, 19 points ahead of third-placed Sandiacre Town, who beat Swarkestone by nine wickets and have a game in hand. Leaders Ockbrook & Borrowash remain seven points clear following a nine-wicket win over Marehay.