Tanner Cup hopes high at fifth time of asking

ALL good things come to those who wait — but five attempts at playing the Tanner Cup final is pushing it a bit.

Bamford Fieldhouse, crowned Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth League champions last weekend, and Heyside try again at Hollin Lane tomorrow (start 11.30am).

And, after weeks of rain, the weather at last seems set fair for the final to go ahead.

With professional Naved Arif Gondal in Pakistan — remember the league season has finished — Bamford made an audacious approach to Brian Lara, one of the sport’s legends, to deputise.

However, other commitments prevented the West Indies great from taking up captain Andy Barton’s offer and Bamford have instead turned to young Lancashire player Stephen Parry.

The 22-year-old left-arm spinner, the leading wicket-taker for Lancashire in the second XI trophy this season, is Bamford’s paid man next season.

With South African pro Roelof Hugo also back home, Heyside have snapped up West Indian Ryan Hinds, who blitzed 223 for Norden in the last round of CLL fixtures.

If tomorrow’s match is off, both teams will meet again Sunday. If the weather intervenes again, the cup will almost certainly be shared.

“We just want to get the game played,” said Barton. “The forecast is good and the ground looks in good nick so, fingers crossed, it will take place.”