Shaw line up Shield encore

CRICKET: AUSTERLANDS’ hopes of reaching the Saddleworth and District Junior League’s Leicester Shield final for a second consecutive year were dashed at the last-four stage.

They were beaten by Saddleworth ‘B’, who will play holders Shaw ‘A’ on Bank Holiday Monday, August 30, at a venue to be decided.

Austerlands came up six runs short at Well-i-Hole in an entertaining clash.

Taking first guard, Saddleworth smashed 83 from the last 10 overs to reach 132 for five.

Beth Garforth was the pick of the bowlers with two for 17 from five overs.

Austerlands lost both openers with only 23 on the board, and at the mid-way point of their innings they were 57 for two.

A 58-run partnership between Luke Ellis (38), his highest score of the season so far, and Kieran Mayall (34) gave Austerlands an outside chance of victory.

They needed 50 to win from the last five overs, which was reduced to 21 from the final six deliveries. And despite 14 from Oliver Mongahan, it was Saddleworth ‘B’ who were celebrating a place in the final.

Shaw ‘A’ defeated Royton by five wickets in a tense game.

Royton were 40 for three after seven overs but some fine bowling, especially from Joe Burgoyne (five for 13 from five overs), checked their progress and they were dismissed 72.

Danny Hawthorne scored 24 and Danny Bardsley smashed 21 from 13 balls.

Shaw lost their first three wickets in 13 balls, but a steadying 22 from Elliott Birtwistle saw Shaw through to the final with more than over four overs to spare.