New-look Colts set out on trophy trail

Cricket

BEATEN finalists last year, the Saddleworth and District Cricket League are aiming to go one better in this season’s Inter-League Colts Trophy.

The under-18s representative team, captained by Steve Taylor, play the Bolton League at Austerlands on Sunday (start 1.30pm) in first of three group matches.

Taylor leads a side much-changed from the class of 2008.

Gone are Chris Gill, Adam Hayes and Alex Peters. The trio are in the Lancashire County League squad as Greenfield’s junior section has switched competitions, in fact Hayes is captain. Also absent are Miles Barnes and Scott Rowbottom, who are too old.

In have come a clutch of new names, all eager to take their chance.

Saddleworth all-rounder Taylor has, at his disposal, players in decent touch.

Stayley batsman Michael Jones hit a ton against Droylsden in the second-team cup,

Wicketkeeper Waqqas Ahmed opens the batting for Glodwick’s first team, while Uppermill’s Michael Bird, opener Aquib Uppal from Droylsden, Shaw’s Matthew Chadwick and Taylor himself are more than capable with the bat.

On the bowling front, Taylor can turn to Shaw’s Adam Good, Dominic Gill (Greenfield), Bilal Malik, who is the Glodwick under-17s captain, and Jones for the seam attack, while Friarmere’s Ben Ingham adds a variety with his spin.

Hoping to impress on their home ground are Austerlands pair Liam Du Feu and Adam Sunderland, while James Barnett is the other Droylsden player to be chosen.

Squad: S Taylor (capt, Saddleworth), D Gill (Greenfield), M Bird (Uppermill), A Uppal, J Barnett (both Droylsden), L Du Feu, A Sunderland (Austerlands), W Ahmed (wkt), B Malik (Glodwick), B Ingham (Friarmere), A Good, M Chadwick (Shaw), M Jones (Stayley).

Meanwhile, in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League under-17s division, Stayley are the team to catch after a six-wicket win over Uppermill.

Michael Jones was unbeaten on 50 as the Millbrook outfit replied to 93 all out.

A Michael Bird half-century was the highlight of Uppermill’s innings.

There was a clutch of notable displays, including a five wickets for five runs return from Shaw’s Adam Good.

The teenager helped send opponents Friarmere spiralling to 71 all out in reply to 94 for six.

Excellent knocks from Joe Malloy (50 not out) and Jack Stanton (52 not out) lifted Austerlands to daunting 171 for one against second-placed Saddleworth.

Victory was never in doubt for the lads from Thorpe Lane, who restricted Saddleworth to 114 for five. Steve Taylor compiled 44.

In the other fixture, Glodwick, who made 127 for five, overcame Droylsden by 24 runs.

Scores are —

Uppermill 93, Stayley 93-4; Shaw 94-6, Friarmere 94-6; Austerlands 171-1, Saddleworth 114-5; Glodwick 127-5, Droylsden 103-4.


Emphatic Oldham

OLDHAM Schools under-11s recorded a stunning win against Rochdale at The Lancaster Club.

In their first match of the season, they posted 124 for seven.

But it was the bowlers who stole the show as they sent Rochdale spiralling to 12 all out!

The under-13s are still searching for their first win of the season after their Lancashire Schools’ Merit League game against Tameside was abandoned because of rain.

The town team, who opened up with two defeats, reached 150 for nine from 35 overs before rain stopped play. Rishworth’s Liam Parfitt hit a tremendous 95.

The under-15s started their Lancashire Schools Merit League campaign today against Bury at Shaw Cricket Club’s Holebottom Clough ground.