Cricket roundup

HEYSIDE are desperate that their Tanner Cup final against Bamford Fieldhouse takes place tomorrow.

If the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddle-worth and District Cricket League’s showpiece game is postponed for a third time, Heyside will be dealt a double blow.

Opening batsman Stephen Firth and strike bowler Dean Watkinson would be unavailable for the new date on Saturday week as the pair leave on Wednesday for six-month stays in Australia.

A third player, James Davies, is also heading Down Under, but not until the end of September.

“Stephen and Dean are two crucial players and not having them would affect our chances of victory without a shadow of doubt,” said Heyside captain Mark Barnes.

With Heyside and Bamford level at the top of the table with 296 points, Sunday’s penultimate round of league fixtures could have a massive bearing on who wins the title.

Heyside head to third-placed Moorside, while Bamford take on Uppermill, who are fourth.


PLAYERS past and present will converge on Uppermill’s Leefields ground on Saturday to celebrate Jim Bradbury’s 50 years at the club.

A 35 overs per side match will get under way at 2pm, followed by entertainment in the evening.

Current Saddleworth and District Cricket League players Cec Wright, Lou Adair, Peter Skuse, Steven Howard, Gary Kershaw, James Baron and Matt Bradbury will be joined by a host of well-known ex-cricketers from the local scene.

They include Keith Moores, Bernard Williams, Ronnie Franklin, Kelly Rhodes, Martin Brookes, Stuart Hanson, Howard Meedham, Courtney Wright, Steve Baron and Anthony Barnes.


HEYWOOD will clinch the Lake Garage CLL title this weekend if they win their two matches at home to Littleborough and away to Ashton.

Oldham and Crompton, in second place and joint third respectively, can only concentrate on their own games and hope the leaders falter.

Oldham go to Milnrow tomorrow and host Rochdale on Sunday, while Crompton travel to Unsworth tomorrow and entertain Werneth 24 hours later.


DELPH take on Drakes Huddersfield Cricket League leaders Golcar tomorrow (12.30pm).

Third-placed Delph need maximum points from their two remaining league games to harbour any hopes of winning the championship.