Title glory first for Glodwick

CHAMPIONS . . . Glodwick celebrate Saddleworth League title success.

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CRICKET: GLODWICK’S first game in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League was at Droylsden in 2007.

So it was ironic that the same Oakfield venue was the scene of much hugging and back-slapping as Nigel Stock’s men wrote their name on the Hollingworth Challenge Trophy for the first time.

An eight-wicket triumph over Droylsden, coupled with nearest rivals Saddleworth’s defeat at Uppermill, was the signal for the Warren Lane boys to party.

The title was in the bag with one game to go — their first since they won the Oldham and Ashton League in 1959 — but not before they had endured a couple of scary moments.

Droylsden’s last-wicket partnership of 34, with David Lees unbeaten in 36, almost denied Glodwick maximum bowling points.

Then, when they were reduced to 29 for two with Mark Whitehead and professional Rehan Rafiq back in the shed and Anees Ur Rehman doing a good impression of a cat hopping across hot coals, it seemed the celebrations might have to wait for another week.

Glodwick and their supporters needn’t have worried: Shahid Mahmood was in one of those moods.

The opener struck six sixes and four fours to finish unbeaten on 70 from 40 balls - this after a simple chance was put down at mid-off early in his innings.

Ur Rehman gathered his senses to hit 30 not out, with Glodwick clinching victory and the championship with more than half their overs to spare.

Stock (40) said: “It has been a big team effort all the way with everyone, at some stage, having played a winning innings. I think the league is more competitive this year, so I’m really proud we’ve done it.”

Saddleworth’s chase finally came to an end at Uppermill, who are now up to fourth in the standings.

After being reduced to 137 for seven, Brian Lord’s men recovered to post a respectable 184 for nine.

That wasn’t enough as Uppermill skipper Dave Roberts blasted an unbeaten 64 off only 25 deliveries to see his side home in the 24th over.