Lord’s high fliers home in on Range

CJ Ferriera

SADDLEWORTH have taken every hurdle in their stride so far this season.

Victories over reigning champions Glodwick (league) and Moorside (Tanner Cup) indicates that Brian Lord’s men are the team to beat in 2015.

The leaders face another stern examination of their title credentials tomorrow with the visit of once-beaten Whalley Range to Well-i-Hole.

Austerlands are among the chasing pack, and in professional Asif Zakir and overseas amateur CJ Ferera, they boast two of the in-form players in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The consistency of their respective performances — Zakir heads the pros batting and bowling averages while Ferera has taken 17 wickets — have helped propel the Thorpe Lane club up to fourth in the table.

Austerlands put their unbeaten record on the line at home to Droylsden.

The visitors will be looking to tighten up on extras after they conceded 48 wides in their previous league game at Uppermill.

Paid man Mohammed Jamal bowled 10 in his first two overs and Greg Schofield 12 in his three.

In that match Michael Salmon, the Uppermill wicketkeeper, badly dislocated a finger. He is a doubt for tomorrow’s match against Greenfield and also for Sunday’s LCB Cup first-round tie with East Lancs PM.

Stayley face an almighty task in the knock-out competition as they head to Bootle. Glodwick visit Westhaughton and Saddleworth host Denton West.