Bamford sights set on double triumph

BAMFORD Fieldhouse were crowned Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League champions for the third time in four years yesterday.

But the Hollin Lane outfit, who scuppered Heyside’s title hopes, will have to wait another week to complete the double after the Tanner Cup final was washed out again 24 hours earlier.

Bamford officials had worked tirelessly for a day and a half to get the league game on and their perseverance paid off.

Andy Smith-Butler collected six for 52 as Hollinwood, who only had 10 men and saw Mudassar Butt limp off the field after reaching 50, were bowled out for 179.

Bamford lost Lincoln Roberts for one, but second-wicket pair Darren Shadford (71) and Paddy McKeown (68 not out) steadied any nerves by steering them to within sight of glory.

Heyside, who led the league table for so long, will now switch their attention to Saturday’s rescheduled Tanner Cup at Bamford (start 11,30am).

Mark Barnes’ boys were level on points with Bamford going into yesterday’s final round of fixtures and had to better their rivals result to clinch the championship.

But the dream, for this year at least, had already died by the time opponents Glodwick, who required 194 to win, had reached their target with two wickets to spare.

Moorside ended their season a week ago, but they still managed to cling on to third place after Uppermill lost to neighbours Greenfield and Austerlands went down by one wicket at Saddleworth.

Stayley also tasted success — they brushed aside Shaw by 121 runs — while Friarmere completed 2008 with their eighth consecutive draw after the Droylsden ground was deemed unfit.

Scores are —

Division one: Hollinwood 179 (Z Ur-Rehman 53, M Butt 50 retired hurt, A Smith-Butler 6-52), Bamford Fieldhouse 180-3 (D Shadford 71, P McKeown 68 not out); Droylsden v Friarmere — no play, unfit ground; Greenfield 184-9 (C Smith 51 not out, M Taylor 5-81), Uppermill 127 (W Dornan 34, P Gill 4-44); Heyside 193, Glodwick 199-8; Austerlands 172 (M Schofield 76), Saddleworth 173-9 (P Skuse 55); Stayley 207-9 (L Adair 52), Shaw 86.

Division two: Austerlands 235-4 (P Adams 96), Saddleworth 202-7 (B Pollard 69); Droylsden 139, Friarmere 109 (Z Iqbal 63 not out); Glodwick v Heyside — no play, unfit ground; Bamford Fieldhouse 25, Hollinwood 26-0; Shaw 293-9 (M Chadwick 106, M Ingham 79), Stayley 297-5 (M Barnes 118, M Stone 88); Uppermill 212 (J Bradbury 39), Greenfield 141.