Giants grab runners-up spot

INDOOR CRICKET

WITH Glodwick Mouse Men having already clinched the Oldham Cricket Development Group Indoor League title with a week to spare, attention turned to which team would claim runners-up spot.

Heyside Hyenas and Greenfield Giants were both in with a shout of second place and, in a quirk of fate, they met in the final round of matches.

Batting first, Hyenas, thanks to the efforts of Zara Matthews, registered 252.

It was not enough, though, despite excellent bowling from Mia Richardson as the Giants, spearheaded by Nathan Walker and Joseph Aston, secured a 15-run victory.

Champions Mouse Men maintained their unbeaten record by beating Austerlands.

Thomas Pilkington and George Barnes added 23 runs to help Austerlands to a score of 234.

In reply, the Glodwick openers were kept in check, but the second pair of Daniel Stock and Sufyaan Ahmed were again the key partnership, scoring 40 runs as their side completed their overs on 255.

Sam Yates and Will Jackson played well as Christ Church Scholars totalled 232 against Heyside Girls.

The same two Scholars players then claimed three wickets and a run-out between them as the Girls replied with 210.

Uppermill and Woodhouses produced one of the closest finishes of the competition.

Having posted a formidable total of 260, Uppermill were in the driving seat.

Even more so when the early Woodhouses batsmen were only able to score 17, which left last-pair Sam Whitehead and Ethan Pietkiwicz with a lot to do.

They rose to the challenge, however, to claim a thrilling four-run victory.

The other Glodwick team (258) wrapped up their season with a win over close rivals Shaw (223).

Batting first against Friarmere, the Greenfield Aces could only muster 233, which left Friarmere as favourites to clinch victory.

However, a wonderful last-over from Daniel White changed all that.

He took two wickets, including a sensational caught and bowled, to leave Friarmere four runs short on 229.