Rolleston 1st XI’s Derbyshire Division One match at Barrow Turn produced a thoroughly entertaining encounter, hosts Swarkestone taking the honours by sixteen points to thirteen courtesy of a narrow margin winning draw.

The away skipper lost the toss and his team were invited to field, but the home side were rocked in the seventh over when left-hander Luke Thomas middled a Mark Bellm delivery low to point where Tom Rutter took a smart catch. Ex-Derbyshire batsman Johnny Owen (41) and opener Jamie Guthrie next combined to develop an excellent second wicket stand of 127 runs from 25 overs, but did suffer a number of scares along the way.

Guthrie offered Luke Nelson an opportunity at gully when on 22, the chance spurned and the batsman rattling off fifteen runs in the following over. Owen Chinese cut Alex Britton for a boundary, at the same time taking the score into three figures, and then edged the same bowler through slips for four. Guthrie (102) reached his fifty in sixty five balls, moving sweetly onto 89 prior to Owen cutting off-spinner Nelson to Rutter, again successful at point.

Youngster Tom Hamilton arrived to accompany Guthrie who, within a further twenty minutes, had notched a century with his fifteenth boundary, only to play back to Nelson’s next delivery - leg before the decision. At 171 for 3 and twelve overs remaining, O&B transferee Gary Smith (57) walked to the middle and the fireworks began. Having had a couple of sighters Smith began his run-fest with a straight six back over bowler Nelson’s head. He dealt severely with both Thomson (2 for 52) and Nelson (2 for 81), and quickly passed 50 with five sixes and three fours, but eventually fell to Bellm when Britton dived forward at long-off to secure a superb catch.

Whilst playing a support role, Hamilton had moved quietly onto 43 and looked increasingly dangerous when Smith’s dismissal became the catalyst for a hectic 13-ball spell in which five wickets fell. Hamilton (45) was run out pursuing an adventurous third run, followed by Thornton bludgeoning Thomson to the long-on boundary only to see Nelson rising high and holding on one-handed just inside the ropes.

Michael Scott gave Thomson a return catch which, despite being held, led to the bowler taking a trip to hospital with a deep cut to the webbing of his right hand. Giles launched another Bellm (3 for 53) delivery into Britton’s clutches and the hosts had slipped to 279 for 8, Rolleston grateful for the additional bowling points.

In reply, the visitors were ticking along nicely at five runs per over when, in the ninth, Gareth Marshall carelessly steered a short and wide one from Giles straight to Luke Lacey at point. Scott Cobley continued on the offensive against the Swarkestone pace attack, dispatching a series of deliveries to the ropes and reaching thirty before skipper Britton edged Bruce Dilks to Smith at slip.

Rutter joined Cobley (57) and the pair maintained the required run rate, the opener saving his legs by including eleven fours in a 60-ball half century. However, the third wicket partnership of 57 ended when Cobley lashed out at David Dixon (2 for 52) and his mistimed strike sailed to Hamilton who sealed his fate.

Adam Bowering (15) flattered to deceive, looking extremely comfortable until attempting to late cut spinner Dixon, the ball beating the bat and turning onto the stumps. But Rutter continued to sparkle, seven fours and a six helping him past fifty in seventy one balls, and was briefly supported by Mark James (11) who received an unplayable delivery from left-hand medium pacer Lacey (2 for 46) which nipped back and clipped his off-stump bail.

Richard Wyatt wondered down the track to Lacey but was rapped on the pads and found himself the wrong side of an lbw decision, the reply faltering at 191 for 6 and twelve overs left. Nelson arrived to make his seasonal debut and skilfully manoeuvred play to give Rutter (90) most of the strike, a key requisite if the revised run rate was to be achieved.

Following four beautifully timed sixes, Rutter attempted another maximum and, despite showing plenty of maker’s name, the shot resulted in a second catch for Hamilton, this time at long-on. Bellm came to the middle with four overs remaining and forty runs needed for victory – surely too high a target with just three wickets intact. Nelson (24 no) took the sensible option, displaying maturity and good technique in successfully guiding his team to 255 for 7 and a valuable thirteen points haul that keeps the Willowers within reach of the promotion places.