The 1st X1 were at home and had an impressive eight wicket victory whilst the 2nds had a first game nail biter at Parkers Piece squeezing home by two wickets.

At Heanor Town ground, Darley Abbey were soon in trouble as Adam Harchuk took two early wickets and then Colin Taylor weighed in with three more to give Heanor the edge at 74 for 5.

However, a fightback by the visitors meant they only lost one more wicket and posted 166 for 6.

Harchuk took 2 for 36 from 12 overs and Taylor 3 for 44 from 13 and Heanor were very pleased with the teatime scoreboard.

In reply openers Trevor Hessey and Mark Fletcher put on a creditable stand of 120 at a decent run rate before Fletcher fell lbw in the 29th over.

Hessey went on to make a very worthy 66 before being out and Heanor cruised to victory at 167 for 2 with six overs to spare.

The foundation for the win being made by the bowlers and then the finishing touches made by two very good innings by the openers.

2nd XI

The 2nd XI also had Darley Abbey in early trouble having asked them to bat on a slow damp surface.

Andy Mann and Maurice Edwards sent down the first 16 overs and had the home side on 26 for 2.

The introduction of debutant Andy Naylor to the attack made it 36 for 4 off 26 overs and then Fitzpatrick, 42, hit some lusty shots and got the scoreboard moving, with Roe in support, as they added 58.

The home side innings ended on 115 for 6 with Naylor taking 2 for 12, Edwards 2 for 27 and Mann 1 for 13.

It could have been less as three catches were spilled but a highlight was Josh Brear who held on to difficult skier.

Heanor began cautiously and lost Andy Matthews and Paul Barlow very early and then Edwards and O'Dell to reach just 38 for 4 in 18 overs.

Experienced opener Phil Gregory dug in and got good support from Steve Halford, 16, and they moved the score to 88 before Halford departed.

Heanor plugged on and then saw a mini collapse as three wickets fell in one over with Heanor in sight of victory at 104 as the valuable Gregory fell for a patient 52. The home side were scenting victory but some wayward bowling of wides and scrambled singles saw Heanor home in the 43rd over

In the end this was a close run thing and Gregory was the pick of the Heanor players for his dogged determination.