LOCAL CRICKET: Saddleworth League - Austerlands in mood to press title claims

SMASH HIT . . . Steven Firth has been scoring plenty of runs for Heyside this season

AUSTERLANDS can have a huge bearing on the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League title race this weekend.

Third in the table and and with a trip to leaders Heyside on the horizon, they have a chance to advertise their own championship credentials.

But before they head to Little Hey Street on Sunday, Kevin Du Feu’s side must conquer a different challenge altogether as second-bottom Droylsden visit Thorpe Lane tomorrow.

Austerlands are one of only two teams to topple Heyside this season and are confident of repeating the feat.

“It’s an important two days for us,” said Du Feu. “We’ve got the easier game tomorrow, you would think, followed by Heyside at their place.

“We beat them in May quite convincingly, but they’ve got home advantage this time and they are sure to be a lot stronger.

“Roelof Hugo is a big player for them and so is opener Steven Firth, who has been scoring plenty of runs this season. If we can get those two early, then we’ve got a chance for sure.

“Last year we did well in the Twenty20 and the Tanner Cup but our league form was disappointing.

“I have always thought this season’s side, on paper, was capable of finishing in the top five, and we’re not looking beyond that at the moment.”

Du Feu is delighted with the performances of the club’s two overseas players this season.

Donwell Hector, at 19, is the youngest professional in the league and has adapted to conditions completely alien to him. The West Indian’s contribution in the field — there is no-one as quick as the teenager in the cover region — is out of the top drawer.

Overseas amateur Pubudu Seneviratne, who hails from Sri Lanka, recorded his first century for Austerlands — 105 not out — in last weekend’s eight-wicket win over Greenfield.

Du Feu added: “It was a fantastic display from Pubudu and one which had been coming.

“I know he was up against some of Greenfield’s lesser bowlers, but he still had to do the job. His second 50 came off only 20-odd balls.

“Donwell made 63 in the game and the pair came together when we were two for two, chasing 172.

“It’s a long time for someone of Donwell’s age to be away from home, but he’s settled in well and has bags of enthusiasm for the game.”

Heyside could be in for an uncomfortable ride over the next couple of days. As well as their match against Austerlands, they visit a Hollinwood side buoyed by their Twenty20 success last weekend.

Uppermill, in second place, are on a recovery mission after they failed to make it eight wins on the bounce.

Defeat to Heyside was a body blow to Matt Taylor’s side, but they will be looking to hit back at home to Moorside tomorrow and at Glodwick on Sunday.

Tomorrow sees Bamford Fieldhouse looking to maintain their title bid against a Stayley side who are without a win in the league since June 1. Andy Barton’s boys head to Saddleworth 24 hours later.

Even with nine games to go, Moorside – who entertain Hollinwood on Sunday – are probably too far adrift to mount a late assault for top spot, but they can still aim for a place in next season’s LCB Cup.