Clinical Iqbal sinks kings Heyside

CRICKET: JAVED Iqbal struck 111 as Hollinwood put a big dent in Heyside’s bid for back-to-back Saddleworth and District Cricket League titles.

It was the opener’s first appearance in the league this season, though he played in round one of the Pro Elite Sports Twenty20 Competition on Friday.

Iqbal hit eight fours and seven sixes in his 108-ball stay as Hollinwood compiled 256 for eight at Little Hey Street. Aamir Afzal offered good support with 55.

Heyside were restricted to 219 for seven in reply, with professional Shadley van Schalkwyk (77) and Nick Campbell (55) making half-centuries. Bilal Ahmed took four for 44.

The reigning champions have slipped to sixth place in the table, 55 points adrift of leaders Glodwick, who swept aside Droylsden by 103 runs at Warren Lane.

Paid man Rehan Rafiq, with 60, and Franco Lenhardt’s 48 lifted the high-flyers to 210 for seven.

Droylsden were bowled out for 107. Matt Halliday was the only batsman to reach double figures with 57, while Shahid Mahmood claimed five for 39.

Glodwick’s nearest challengers, albeit 48 points behind, are Moorside and Saddleworth.

Moorside ended a run of three straight defeats with a 68-run win at Wythenshawe.

Saddleworth enjoyed a six-wicket defeat of Uppermill at Well-i-Hole.

Stayley retreated into the chasing pack after a shock loss at home to South West Manchester, for whom Khalid Mahmood scored 83 out of 202 for nine. Ronnie Cameron’s men were dismissed for 159 in reply.

Friarmere endured a miserable couple of days with the bat, falling to 92 all out in reply to Whalley Range’s 230 for seven.

After his 69 the previous day, pro Chris Gill followed up with 85 as Greenfield beat Austerlands by 31 runs at Thorpe Lane.

Aslam Dar’s 92 for Micklehurst was in vain at Shaw, who registered a 60-runs victory thanks to Kane Fullalove (69) and skipper John Punchard (four for 43).