Peter Skuse’s side won by three runs in a thrilling encounter at Hollin Lane.
And the Australian professional, who has captained the Well-i-Hole outfit to three Tanner Cup triumphs and two league titles since the new Millennium, played his part in this low-scoring affair.
He made a patient 34 out of Saddleworth’s total of 99 — Darren Shadford, Jerry Cassell and Naveed Arif Gondal each claimed three wickets apiece — and then took four 13 as the hosts fell agonisingly short. Steve Holmes also returned four for 13.
Hollinwood are the early leaders after they made it three wins out of four with an equally exciting defeat of Moorside at Lime Lane.
Both teams were unbeaten going into the game, and the visitors seemed set for a sizeable score after reaching 82 for two.
However, they succumbed to 118 all out, with first-season pro Alan Durose compiling 54.
Hollinwood also found themselves in trouble at 103 for eight, but Steve Bowers bludgeoned 20 not out — two sixes and two fours — to see them home.
Brothers Dave and Chris Oldfield ripped through the Heyside batting line up as Austerlands broke their duck.
Defending 203, Dave’s five for 21 haul, plus three wickets for Chris at the cost of seven runs, reduced their opponents to 95 all out.
Dean Watkinson had earlier taken four for 48, while Heyside team-mate Tony Heaton turned back the clock to pick up three for 44.
Alex Griffiths hit 70 and Michael Brooks struck 51 as Uppermill also recorded their first win of the season against Glodwick at Leefields.
Chasing 175 — overseas amateur Zeeshan Khan took five for 24 — James Baron’s men won with five wickets to spare.
Dave Andrew (91), Mike Small (51) and Eugene Welgemoed (51) were among the runs for Shaw, who amassed 256 for six against Droylsden at Oakfield.
The hosts, despite 79 from Mike Radcliffe, managed 155 in reply.
Stayley followed up their win over Saddleworth by sweeping aside Greenfield at Ladhill Lane.
Fine young prospect Alex Peters was 75 not out, Lou Adair made 63 and overseas amateur Adnan Farooq smacked 57 after the home side, for whom Ryan Nurse top-scored with 47, posted 201.
Scores are —
Division one: Austerlands 203 (D Watkinson 4-48, A Heaton 3-44), Heyside 95 (D Oldfield 5-21, C Oldfield 3-7); Saddleworth 99 (P Skuse 34, D Shadford 3-13, J Cassell 3-9), Bamford Fieldhouse 96 (D Roberts 45, S Holmes 4-13, P Skuse 4-13); Shaw 256-6 (D Andrew 91, M Small 51, E Welgemoed 51), Droylsden 155 (M Radcliffe 79); Greenfield 201 (R Nurse 57), Stayley 206-4 (A Peters 75 not out, L Adair 63, A Farooq 57); Moorside 118 (A Aqeel 4-28), Hollinwood 124-8 (I Qadir 41); Glodwick 175 (Z Khan 5-24), Uppermill 176-5 (A Griffiths 70, M Brooks 51, Z Khan 40).
Division two: Uppermill 175-9 (G Crossley 67), Glodwick 176-6 (W Ahmed 67); Heyside v Austerlands — no result; Hollinwood 106 (M Kamran 54), Moorside 212-6 (M Khan 66); Bamford Fieldhouse 142 (G Pemberton 4-52, C Lee 4-14), Saddleworth 144-5 (G Pemberton 37 not out); Droylsden 93, Shaw 98-2; Greenfield 212 (J Higgins 41), Stayley 139 (J Higgins 4-31).
