Friarmere must pass acid test

ANDREW WALKER

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IT has been 37 long years since Friarmere last lifted the Tanner Cup — but to stand any chance of bridging that gap they must first get by star-studded Bamford Fieldhouse in Sunday's semi-final.

However, recent results in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League offer them hope of a favourable outcome at Hollin Lane.

Despite boasting by far the strongest line-up, it hasn't been plain sailing for Bamford this season.

Andy Barton's boys slipped to sixth in the table after last weekend's defeat against Uppermill who, coincidentally, lost to Friarmere in the previous round.

The two teams have met once this season and the match ended in controversy.

Andrew Walker, the Friarmere captain, ordered his batsmen off the field with an over to go in protest against poor weather conditions. With rain falling and bad light, he felt play should have been stopped.

Bamford, who were on the verge of victory, were awarded maximum bonus points as the umpires deemed Friarmere had declared their innings.

Fingers crossed, there will be no such weather worries this weekend as Bamford, winners in 2004 and 2005, look to reach their third final in the space of five years.

However, they were beaten at this stage last season by Shaw, who went on to clinch the cup.

Heyside and Saddleworth make a quick return to Tanner Cup action after booking their semi-final places in rain-affected matches this week.

Heyside, who beat Moorside by seven wickets, have home advantage and will be looking to professional Roelof Hugo to repeat the batting form which enabled them to chase down Moorside’s target of 178.

For their part, Saddleworth will aim to repeat the bowling heroics which saw them skittle Greenfield for 85 in the quarter-finals.




SUNDAY’S Moore Cup fixtures see Uppermill entertain Stayley and Hollinwood host Heyside.






Hollinwood resolve under scrutiny



THE highlight of tomorrow’s Saddleworth League programme is Hollinwood’s home game against Bamford Fieldhouse.



The hosts have come out fighting since they were deducted a bucketload of points (148) for fielding an ineligible player.

They have won their last two games — against Stayley and Saddleworth — but in Bamford, they face a side smarting from a shock defeat by Uppermill.

That result has left Bamford with plenty of ground to make up if they are to hold on to their championship crown.

But if there is one team capable of going on a winning run it is Andy Barton’s boys.

Austerlands, in second place, are the surprise package this season and hopes are high they can achieve their ambition of a top-five finish.

The Thorpe Lane outfit are at home to Saddleworth, who seem to be saving their best form for the Tanner Cup.

With Moorside enjoying an open date, Uppermill could be Heyside’s nearest challengers come Saturday evening.

The team, in joint third place, will fancy their chances when they go head to head with Greenfield at Leefields.

Spearheaded by Zeeshan Khan’s unbeaten 66, Uppermill showed great tenacity to edge out Bamford and a similar level of performance would surely be good enough to account for tomorrow’s visitors.

Friarmere, who play host to Droylsden, are on a recovery mission after a defeat by Greenfield last weekend, while Shaw will be looking to add to Stayley’s woes in the league.

Ronnie Cameron’s side have lost their last four games to slip into mid-table, while Shaw are in good spirits after reaching the semi-finals of the Twenty20 competition.