OCTOBER
SOME of Europe's top off-road cyclists converged on Lea Green for the Notts and Derby Cyclo-Cross League and the National Trophy Series.

Matlock Town fell to a 5-0 home defeat at the hands of Alfreton Town in the FA Cup, while Matlock United were turned over 6-0 at Glapwell in the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

Matlock Baileans First XI got their second Midlands Premier League season underway with a 3-3 draw at home to Shrewsbury.

Bowling Green B, Grouse A, Derwent Hotel, Grouse B and Bulls Head (Ashford) were the five divisional champions in the Derbyshire Dales Boules League.

Wirksworth-based teenager Gary Webster became the second local lad to appear for Matlock Town this season after graduating from the club's U19 setup.

Matlock Cycling Club's Steve Heading jetted off to Australia as part of the Team GB squad for the World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships.

His club colleague Chris Hopkinson headed to America for "the toughest 48 hours in sport", the gruelling Furnace Creek 508, where he finished an impressive tenth.

Matlock cyclist Phil Spencer headed to Turkey for the prestigious Alanya International Mountain Bike Cup, and came back having finished an impressive second.

Haydn Rowlands followed his wife Sharon's example by bringing championship glory back to Slaley with victory in the over 45 section of the Masters Two category to claim his second world powerlifting title.

NOVEMBER
YOUNG cyclist Tom Last finished third in the British Cyclo Cross Open Series junior event at Ipswich.

Ashover businessman and rally driver Steve Perez was crowned the Kumho Tyres ANCRO national champion.

Matlock Town's FA Trophy hopes were dashed at the first hurdle – 30 seasons on from their Wembley glory run – after two dramatic matches against Lancaster City.

Wirksworth Cricket Club and Wirksworth Colts Football Club shared almost £4,000 as the result of a highly successful Auction of Promises.

Ellen MacArthur finally set off for her solo round-the-world record attempt onboard B&Q, after a couple of weeks of frustrating delays.

Matlock Rugby Club's U12 squad returned home after an enjoyable and successful tour to Italy, where they took on several local sides.

DECEMBER
TANSLEY Primary School's young footballers reached the knock-out stages of the Kelloggs Frosties National Cup.

Matlock Baileans First XI suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of local rivals Belper, before going down 5-4 against league leaders Cannock in a thrilling game.

Middleton and Wirksworth Wrestling Club ended their 2004 competitions with the silver team medal at an event in Wigan.

Their individual medal tally for the year totalled 39 gold, 36 silver and 14 bronze.

Ellen MacArthur set an early milestone as part of her round-the-world record attempt, when she broke the previous best solo time for sailing to the Equator.

Fifteen-year-old Highfields School pupil Hannah Marsden returned from Switzerland with a bronze medal after representing England in the European Karate Championships.

Highfields School pupil Josh Moody won a silver medal in the English Schools Athletics Association cross-country finals, while the Highfields team finished 11th overall.

Derbyshire Senior Cup holders Matlock Town crashed out of the competition at the quarter-final stage with a 2-1 defeat at Gresley Rovers, but they made it through to the last eight of the UniBond League Challenge Cup with a superb 4-0 win at Guiseley.