Alfreton taste defeat for the first time in return to Premiership in loss to fellow promoted team Alrewas.

A couple of changes in last weeks win over Marehay as Matt New’s broken finger sees him miss out and Carrington is rotated. In comes Jonathan Woolley, who is back from holiday, and Tom Bexton.

Alrewas got off to a good start on a pitch without too many demons and a lightening outfield. The solid opening partnership of Gareth Woolley and James Burton saw the home team get to 84-0 before the leg spin of Fletcher got the opening breakthrough of Burton (39). Kwant, the New Zealander overseas, picked up where Burton left off and drove Alrewas on and 173-1, the home side had a good base to really up the anti in the final overs. Once Woolley (75) and Kwant (61) eventually fell, Cole (55*), Chapman (30) and Foley (19) all showed some good hitting, all having strike rates around or over 150. All the Alfreton bowlers struggled to keep their economy below 6 with the increased workload due to the loss of Matt New. Joe New was the pick of the bowlers with 2-73 but Hibbert (1-71) and Asim (1-69) also picked up a victim each.

Chasing 319 from 50 overs to win was never going to be an easy task and the early loss of Tom New (3), who didn’t survive a 3rd LBW shout in 3 balls didn’t help ease the task at hand. The spin trio of Rowland (2-17), Van Daesdonk (2-31) and Hodgkinson (5-38) really took the game away from Simpson’s team and only Woolley (28), Joe New (19), Zaroob (24 and Comins (18) offered any real resistance as Alfreton were bowled out for 139 from 34.3 overs.

A disappointing defeat for the away side who find a tough task in front of them in Ockbrook and Burrowash on Saturday at the Asha Oval.