Austerlands fix sights on shield final

AUSTERLANDS can round off an excellent spell by booking their place in the final of the Romida Shield tonight.

The Thorpe Lane outfit, who visit Stayley in the last four, are riding high in the under-17s table after two wins on the trot.

They overcame Shaw by a three-run margin after accumulating 118 for seven, before getting the better of Friarmere by an identical margin.

Saddleworth slipped to second spot after a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Stayley.

Droylsden held their nerve in another tight finish, this time against Shaw.

Requiring 85 for victory, they crossed the line with one wicket and three balls to spare.

Basement boys Uppermill are still searching for their first win of the season after they went down by 24 runs to Friarmere, who made 103 for six.

Uppermill are also in semi-final action tonight when they entertain Droylsden.

Scores —

Austerlands 118-7, Shaw 115-5; Saddleworth 118-4, Stayley 120-4; Friarmere 103-6, Uppermill 79; Droylsden v Heyside — ground unfit; Austerlands 88-7, Friarmere 85-6; Shaw 84-8, Droylsden 85-9; Glodwick v Heyside — ground unfit; Uppermill v Saddleworth — ground unfit.