Two wins on the spin have put Darley into fourth place in Division Two North, nine points clear of nearest rivals Quarndon seconds and Pilsley firsts.

Ambergate, so long the holders of the fifth place that guarantees second division cricket in next year’s restructured league, are still in contention, a further three points behind in seventh.

South Wingfield’s hopes of being in the mix took a knock as they suffered a five-wicket home reversal against Denby seconds.

Nicky Marshall top scored with 34 not out in Wingfield’s 178-8, but Ross Perry Taylor, with 71, and Morgan’s 61 took the game away from them.

Paul Spencer took three of the five Denby wickets to fall.

In Division Three North, three wickets were also taken by both Roger Bolstridge and Ryan Illingworth as Ashover tried to stop Marehay seconds closing on their target of 151, but to no avail, as the hosts won by two wickets.

South Wingfield seconds could only post 120 at the end of an innings which saw skipper Andy Mitchell having to retire on just ten not out.

Clay Cross seconds went on to win the Division Four North encounter by eight wickets.

Skipper Simon Bunting (41) and Adrian Kershaw (42) got the lion’s share of Cromford Meadows firsts’ runs as they chased down 196 against Breadsall seconds.

However, Cromford were all out some 19 runs short of victory.

Paul Chadbourne’s 35 was the top score for Matlock seconds as they registered a disappointing 98 all out in Division Five North, a total which West Hallam White Rose seconds bettered for the loss of just four wickets, three of which fell to Tom Coey.

At Milken Lane, however, nine fours and four sixes were included in Carl Slinn’s 91 not out as Ashover seconds surpassed Staveley Welfare seconds’ 204-6 with five wickets intact.

The highlight of Ambergate seconds’ game was Alfreton thirds bowler Matthew Rooke taking four wickets for the loss of just one run in a six-wicket win for him and his team mates.

In Division Six North, Hartley was the name to remember as openers Jacob and Andrew Hartley scored 55 and 31 respectively to ease Darley Dale seconds to an eight wicket victory over Shipley Hall thirds, who had posted 146-8, with Matthew Tong, Andrew Hartley and Simon Cotterill claiming a brace of wickets each.

Division Seven North witnessed one of the bowling performances of the season in the entire DCCL.

In a demonstration of Olympian prowess and shutting out the din of the rugby tournament taking place just yards away (see page 30), Cromford Meadows seconds’ Vaughn Sinfield took an astonishing 9-28 as Riddings thirds were halted on 94.

Alex Bunting scored 38 of the runs the hosts needed for an eight-wicket victory.

James Throw’s 5-19 almost pales in comparison, but it was good enough to help skittle Holmewood seconds out for 69.

Throw’s Ambergate thirds side eased home by nine wickets, due mainly to Mark Goodburn’s 40 not out.