Miserable spell continues for Heyside

CRICKET:

DEFEAT for leaders Heyside and victory for Bamford Fieldhouse means only a point now separates the top two teams in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

A miserable few days got worse for the pace-setters as they received news in midweek of skipper Ben Holt’s ban until 2015 after losing at Droylsden.

The hosts posted 207 for eight from their 45 overs. Heyside, who are set to fight Holt’s suspension, only managed 156 in reply, with Mohammed Shakir claiming five for 59.

Bamford made short work of Saddleworth at Hollin Lane. Opener Grant Hodnett again showed his powers, smashing 196 to move within seven runs of a 1,000 in the league this season.

While Hodnett has proved a kingpin with the bat this term, Babar Khan has held court with the ball and he collected six for 42 in Saddleworth’s 119, becoming the first amateur bowler to take 50 wickets in the competition this season.

Greenfield were surprised by Friarmere at Slack Lane. Alex Peters’ men appeared on course for a comfortable victory after they dismissed the home side for 129. But Friarmere never seem to know when they are beaten, and overseas amateur Adnan Farooq bagged five for 26 and 15-year-old seamer Zak Arshad three for 10 as Greenfield crumbled to 63 all out.

Austerlands crept back into the leading five teams after they secured a third straight win, by eight wickets, at Lime Lane.

Pro Rehan Rafiq steered Glodwick to a six-wicket triumph at home to Moorside.

Out of the four Tanner Cup semi-finalists – Greenfield, Hollinwood and Moorside being the others - only Uppermill won, and they scraped home by a single wicket at Leefields.

Craig Smith’s 76 and 43 from Steve Bird helped Stayley to 184 – James Baron took five for 37 – and that was nearly good enough after the hosts were reduced to 178 for nine. But numbers 10 and 11, Andrew Jones and Adam Lawton, kept their cool to see their side home with an over to spare.

Shaw batsman Phil Taylor struck 101 and Kane Fullalove 83 as they piled up 316 for six against Micklehurst at Holebottom Clough. The visitors were skittled for 79, with Rick Harrington's seven for 27 doing the damage.