If you're not aware, 'Don't Choke Derbyshire' week is part of the national 'Green Transport Week' which takes place in early June every year. In Derbyshire, if you use a Derbyshire Wayfarer ticket during the week, you get a replacement one FREE. So, in effect, your day's travel doesn't cost you a penny. For more on 'Don't Choke Derbyshire' and the Wayfarer ticket, click a link below.

Don't Choke Derbyshire | Derbyshire Wayfarer

If you have a free day next Saturday, why not buy a Wayfarer and visit some far-flung cricket ground?

First port of call was Derby railway station for a short journey up to Belper. With almost an hour wait at Belper, I enjoyed some chips from George's Chippy and a pint in the Railway. Once my hunger was satisfied, I took the 113 to Ashbourne. A very pleasant bus journey through some of the best scenery the county has to offer.

A view of Clifton's attractive ground

From Ashbourne, a short bus journey took me to the delightful village of Clifton. The ground itself lies on the outskirts of the village on Chapel Lane. It is a very attractive ground with a significant slope down from the pavilion and bar area. A seperate bar and seating area keeps players and spectators apart. Not a bad idea which enables the players to concentrate on the game without any distraction.

Visitors for the day were Ockbrook and Borrowash. I won't go into too much detail about the game as Colston Crawford was there covering the game for the Evening Telegraph. A link to Colston's report will appear in the Media Centre as soon as possible.

Ockbrook were looking in deep trouble early on and the general view was that if Johnny Owen gets out cheaply, Clifton should win. Unfortunately, Owen didn't get out until his score had reached 92. A knock which kept the visitors in contention.

Clifton managed to cling on to a draw with the last pair at the wicket.

Full scores were:
Clifton (12) 209-9 (K Afzaal 51, Lewis 40, A Afzaal 35, C Windmill 4-45) drew with Ockbrook & Borrowash (17) 229-8 (Owen 92, Botha 4-70)

Unfortunately, I didn't stay for the end, choosing to journey over to Mickleover for their clash with Aston-on-Trent. This was my first visit to the ground since the floodlit match a couple of years ago. The ground is a large flat field, shared with Mickleover Sports Football Club. Pavilion facilities are excellent with a very nice bar with lots of seating space around the ground.

The natives are very friendly, and despite losing heavily, the lads were keen to come over for a chat after the game. Nice to finally meet 'Chad Girl' a Sting regular going back to the old Rivals days.

Aston were well on their way to victory when I arrived with Yussean and Zamir scoring runs freely around the ground. Derrick Schultz (pictured above), the Mickleover overseas, was bowling at quite a pace, but it was his day with the bat today, having scored 32 from 47 balls.

Full scores were:
Mickleover (2) 109 all out (Schultz 32, Ashfaq 4-3) lost to Aston-on-Trent (22) 111-2 (Yussean 43*, Zamir 40) by 8 wickets

Aston-on-Trent's Yussean on his way to an unbeaten 43

The game finished early at 6:30, so after a few beers on the picnic benches outside, it was time to head back for home to leave the Mickleover lads to analyse the day's disaster.