Austerlands target double

MICHAEL BIRD: record-breaking form

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AUSTERLANDS are chasing a double in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League under-17s division.

The Thorpe Lane lads sit second in the table and are also through to the last-four of the Romida Trophy.

And they will be favourites to reach the final after being drawn away to third-bottom Heyside.

But they will be wary of their opponents’ tag of giant-killers as Heyside have defeated leaders Greenfield and third-placed Glodwick to get to this stage of the competition.

Stayley, conquerors of Uppermill in the previous round, are at home to Saddleworth in the other semi-final.

The two teams are evenly-matched, with both boasting identical records in the league.

Semi-final draw (ties to take place on July 16): Stayley v Saddleworth; Heyside v Austerlands.

Meanwhile, there is one change to the Saddleworth League’s under-18s team to play the Bolton Association at Moorside on Sunday, July 13 (start 1.30pm).

With Bamford Fieldhouse’s Elliot Wolfenden unavailable, Greenfield’s Ashley Dearden has been called into the 12 for the Inter-League Colts Trophy clash.

The Saddleworth League, captained by Heyside’s Scott Rowbottom, won their opening pool game, sweeping aside the Manchester Association by 53 runs.

Aaquib Uppal, of Droylsden, and Greenfield’s wicketkeeper batsman Chris Gill hit 67 and 59 on that occasion, and they will be hoping for a repeat performance at Turf Pit Lane on Sunday week.

Team: S Rowbottom (capt, Heyside), A Peters, M Barnes (Stayley), M Bird, N Boote (Uppermill), A Dearden, C Gill (wkt), A Hayes (Greenfield), J Kenworthy (Austerlands), B Lord, S Taylor (Saddleworth), A Uppal (Droylsden.




SHAW saw off nearest rivals Saddleworth ‘A’ to stay two points clear in the under-13s section of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

Joe Burgoyne and Graham Sinclair retired on 30 apiece as the Holebottom Clough lads reached 117 for three.

Saddleworth, who produced a poor display in the field, needed 17 runs off the last over, but managed just seven as they ended their innings on 107 for five.

Bamford Fieldhouse have emerged as Shaw’s closest pursuers — but they had to work hard for their five-wicket win over Glodwick.

Scores of 24 and 21 from Arkam Zeer and Zain Lohdi helped their opponents to 72 for five.

Bamford were 22 for five in reply, but four dropped catches and a missed run out let them off the hook, with the sixth-wicket pair adding 50 to clinch victory.

In the only other game to avoid rain, Royton had a comfortable win over Hollinwood.

Scores are —

Austerlands v Droylsden — no play, rain; Heyside v Uppermill — no play, rain; Saddleworth ‘A’ 107-5, Shaw 117-3; Bamford Fieldhouse 72-5, Glodwick 71-5; Hollinwood 14, Royton 15-0; Moorside v Saddleworth ‘B’ — no play, rain.




Bird sets new best

MICHAEL Bird was in record-breaking form for Saddleworth School’s under-15s cricket team.

He cracked 123 not out as his side registered a resounding victory over Crompton House in the Oldham Schools semi-final tie.

The Uppermill prospect’s superb knock eclipsed the previous best of 122. That was set by former Saddleworth pupil Adam Hayes, now playing at Greenfield, and another old record-holder from the school, Lancashire’s Kyle Hogg.

Bird (pictured) struck 14 fours and four sixes, helping Saddleworth reach a total of 191 for two. Joe Greenwood chipped in with 21 and Joe Hepworth was 38 not out.

Crompton House replied with 94 for seven in their allotted overs.

Bird was also in action for Lancashire’s under-15s in a Roses match with Yorkshire, though he suffered disappointment as his team lost on the penultimate ball of the game.

Saddleworth now play North Chadderton in the Oldham Schools final, to be played at Saddleworth Cricket Club on Friday, July 11 (1.30pm).




Broadbent stars as Oldham hit back

A FINE individual effort from Steven Broadbent helped Oldham Schools under-15s bounce back from their cup exit.

Saddleworth pupil Broadbent scored 37 and claimed four wickets for the town team, who have suffered mixed fortunes in the Lancashire Schools’ Merit League this season.

But they hit top gear on this occasion to run out 87-run winners over Trafford.

Ross Zelem (Blue Coat) led the way with 52 and, backed up by Hulme’s Bilal Hussain (34) and Saddleworth’s Joe Hepworth (39), Oldham amassed 195 for four from their 30 overs.

Trafford crashed to 108 all out, Broadbent turning destroyer with the ball by taking four for eight.

The under-11s, meanwhile, will be hoping to make it third time lucky when they travel to Wigan tomorrow.

Without a win so far this season, they lost to Salford by 11 runs in their opening game before tying with the same opponents in the reverse fixture.




Brothers to the fore

GREENFIELD enjoyed a win double in the junior section of the Lancashire County League.

The under-15s were involved in a thriller against Flowery Field, who were bowled out for 120 in reply to 124 for six.

For Greenfield, Josh Higgins retired on 40, brothers William and Harry Milnes took three for 14 and three for 18 respectively.

The under-13s, with Liam Parfitt (retired on 30) and Josh Lees (23 not out) among the runs, made 136 for four against Denton St Lawrence, who were restricted to 97 for five. Rowan Watson picked up two for seven.