ALVASTON & BOULTON (222-7) drew with LULLINGTON PARK (247-8)

A THIRD-WICKET stand of 121 between ex-Derbyshire professionals Steve Stubbings and Hassan Adnan ensured Alvaston & Boulton gained a draw at Raynesway and frustrated Lullington in their title ambitions on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Sandiacre's defeat by Ockbrook and Borrowash meant the gap was narrowed to 15 points with Sandiacre due to visit the Park on Saturday.

Another half-century opening partnership between Sam Eaton and Andrew Goodwin had got Lullington off to a good start after being put in to bat.

Goodwin was bowled by Steve Ottewell for 36 with the score on 73 and Jonny Shales followed quickly, caught by keeper Dave Tittersill standing up to Neil Mallendar.

Park passed 150 before Eaton was third out for 71 – his 10th Premier League half-century.

Rudi Hillermann went for a third-ball duck, but Ben Bridgen batted solidly for 48 before being out shortly before the end.

Richard Green (17), Paul Dawson (21) and Alan Gough (18) made cameos and the final total of 247 was their sixth highest in their three years in the Derbyshire Premier.

During the course of his innings, in which the scorers were threatened by an enormous six over extra cover, Green became the third Lullington batsman to pass 1,500 runs in Premier League cricket.

Alvaston & Boulton started brightly with 35 off the first five overs, but lost both openers on 36.

Chris McIlroy was bowled by Graham Dent and Andy Gray fell lbw to Rudi Hillermann.

Stubbings and Adnan dug in, playing carefully and putting away the odd bad ball, as Alan Gough and George Chapman restricted the scoring to less than three per over without being able to get a vital wicket.

The introduction of Paul Dawson and Sam Eaton into the attack as the home side sought to accelerate towards victory changed the picture and Stubbings was bowled by Dawson for 50.

Eaton had both Ben Perry-Taylor and Dave Lewis stumped by George Hodson-Walker for 10 and 17 respectively and Adnam finally fell for 71 to a smart outfield catch by Hillermann off Dawson.

Alvaston then limited their ambitions to ensuring they got within 25 runs for maximum draw points, achieved with a single from Steve Ottewell off the final ball.