Heyside pull away
Reporter: Kevin Richardson
Date published: 15 July 2009
DESPITE rain affecting a number of games on Monday night, Saddleworth League under-15s leaders Heyside A extended their advantage at the top of the table with a comfortable win over Shaw B.
Put in to bat by the home side, Shaw got off to a solid start with a stand of 25 from Tom Needham-Barton and Joe Burgoyne.
However, the introduction of spinners James Lord (5-14) and Matthew Robinson saw the wickets tumble and at 36 for six things looked bleak until Alex Harrison (12 n.o.) and James Mitchell (11) saw Shaw B reach 71 for nine in their 20 overs.
Heyside A set about reaching their target in a cautious manner, restricted by tight bowling from Jack Poxon and Elliott Birtwistle. But a steady knock of 34 from Matthew Robinson saw Heyside reach 72 for three with seven overs to spare.
Saddleworth kept up the pressure on second-placed Shaw A with a victory at Bamford.
In a match reduced to 18 overs, Bamford made 76 for four, Saddleworth replying with a comfortable 77 for two.
The rain-affected Tameside derby saw Droylsden take the honours at Oakfield.
Once again it was thanks to Dale Evans (51 ret.) as Droylsden reached 114 for two from their 16 overs.
An under-strength Staley struggled to 62 for eight, with Jake Coombes the pick of the bowlers (four for five in five overs).
At Swansea Street, the weather denied Glodwick a certain victory over Heyside B.
The home side reaching 118 and, with Heyside requiring over 20 from the last over, the heavy rain forced the umpires to abandon the match, each team receiving two points.
The bad weather also led to the abandonment of the Saddleworth B v Austerlands match.
The visitors managed to bat their 20 overs, reaching 122 for six, but heavy rain and poor light meant that Saddleworth B could only face six overs in reply.
In the bottom of the league battle, Uppermill secured their first victory of the season.
They made 102 for eight in a rain-reduced match (16 overs), with Cameron Simmonds top scoring on 28. Moorside could only manage 87 for three in reply.
