Swarkestone out in front as runs flow in easy win at Barrow Turn
SWARKESTONE top the early Beechwood Mazda Premier Division table following a convincing 105-run win over Spondon at Barrow Turn.
Andre Bradford (59) and Alex Hughes (38) raced to an opening stand of 93 for Swarkestone and the runs kept coming.
Harry Came (68) and Nils Priestley (80) increased Spondon’s woes, the latter smashing five sixes and six fours during an impressive 64-ball innings as Swarkestone reached an impressive 314-5.
An early loss did little for Spondon’s cause after tea, although Alistair Dixon (96) batted impressively. Unfortunately his only support came in the shape of Adam Finlay (27) as Tommy Sturgess (2-18) and Nils Priestley (2-38) kept the home side firmly in charge.
Spondon’s challenge finally came to an end in the 45th over with the scoreboard showing a distant 209.
An inspired spell of bowling by Dan Wheeldon (6-26) helped reigning champions Sandiacre Town to a thumping eight wicket win away to
Ockbrook & Borrowash.
Ryan McFadyean (2-23) also claimed early wickets and Ockbrook found no way back from a hapless 35-5, eventually all out for 85 in the 28th over.
Scott McNeill (51 not out) and Akhil Patel (26 not out) combined for 79 unbeaten runs for the third wicket and Sandiacre were easy winners in only 16 overs.
Tom Knight cracked a century to steer Alvaston & Boulton to a sixwicket win away to Langley Mill.
The home side made a promising start as George Brandrick (70), with the help of Dan Hanson (29) and Suman Shrestha (29), steered the Millers to a healthy 174-2.
But Hamidullah Qadri (3-34), Chris McIlroy (2-11) and Dave Jacobs (2-46) hit back strongly for the visitors and the home side collapsed to 203 all out in the 46th over.
A&B cruised home with more than 16 overs to spare, led by Knight, who hit a six and 17 fours before being trapped lbw by Jack Scott for 105.
New Zealander Nick Kwant smashed a stunning unbeaten 175 to steer newly-promoted Alrewas to an easy 191-run win over a shellshocked Ticknall at Walkfield.
Kwant came to the crease at 12-1 and was still there at the close as the home side posted an imposing 325-6.
He cracked 12 sixes and 10 fours during his brilliant 130-ball display before Ticknall slumped to a disappointing 134 all out in the 46th over.
Graham Hibbert (2-24) grabbed two early wickets for Alfreton which paved the way for a comfortable eight-wicket win over Denby at the Copper Yard.
Muhammad Zaroob weighed in with 4-28 and Denby never properly recovered from a miserable 34-7, all out for 99 in the 34th over.
Zaroob then hit five sixes and three fours from only 36 deliveries on his way to 58 as Alfreton wrapped up the win in the 20th over.
Bottom-of-the-table Marehay suffered a fourth successive defeat, the
latest a five-wicket loss against Eckington at The Maryfield.
Marcus Hayes (25) and Max Orgovanyi (63) made 66 for Eckington’s opening wicket after Marehay were bowled out for 164, the visitors winning with six overs to spare.
Samit Patel may not play for Langley Mill again this season after telling them he was unavailable last week and then turning out for Clitheroe in the Lancashire League, without clearance from either the Millers or the Derbyshire League.
The Nottinghamshire star played much of the first half of last season for the Millers and was expected to do so again. He had appeared in their first two matches.
The Telegraph understands that Patel has been banned for four matches but that it is unlikely he will now be invited back by Langley Mill beyond that.