Bitter rivals in cup showdown

ON PARADE: Former Hampshire bowler and Test umpire John Holder (third right) who is well-known in the area as a former professional and president of CLL outfit Royton, is one of the ICC’s five worldwide regional umpires performance managers. Also pictured are Oldham Evening Chronicle cricket correspondent Kevin Richardson (left), treasurer Craig Ramadhin, general secretary Trevor Harrison, Gary Armstrong, of league sponsors Armstrongs Office Furniture, chairman Eddie Bayliss and Matt Williams MC

Local cricket

BOB WEEDON’S scruffy blue cap has a lot to answer for.

Out of the Greenfield secretary’s well-worn piece of headgear was drawn the first round of next season’s Tanner Cup — and it matched holders Heyside against bitter rivals Bamford Fieldhouse in a repeat of this year’s final.

Events on that glorious late September day are still fresh in the memory — the final was played at the fifth attempt after weather interruptions — with Heyside, inspired by Nick Campbell’s heroics with bat and ball, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s 84-year history.

Unfortunately, the final will also be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Heyside were angry at what they thought was the heavy-handed approach by the league and Bamford in employing a security presence at the game.

The final itself was marred by foul-mouthed taunts aimed towards players and umpires which, for many people, overshadowed Heyside’s supreme effort in toppling the red-hot favourites.

It goes without saying, officials from the Saddleworth and District Cricket League will be hoping the May 24 clash at Hollin Lane passes off peacefully.

The other stand-out tie sees Moorside and Uppermill, who finished third and fourth last season respectively, meet at Turf Pit Lane.

Saddleworth and Shaw, who contested the 2006 final with the former coming out on top, go head to head at Well-i-Hole.

Austerlands play host to Greenfield, while Stayley go to Droylsden.

Friarmere, Hollinwood and Glodwick have each received byes.

Draws are —

Round one: Austerlands v Greenfield ; Moorside v Uppermill; Droylsden v Stayley; Saddleworth v Shaw; Bamford Fieldhouse v Heyside. Byes: Friarmere, Hollinwood, Glodwick. Ties to be played Sunday, May 24.

Round two: (A) Glodwick v Friarmere; (B) Bamford Fieldhouse/Heyside v Austerlands/Greenfield; (C) Moorside/Uppermill v Droylsden/Stayley; (D) Hollinwood v Saddleworth/Shaw. Ties to be played Sunday, June 21.

Semi-finals: B v A; C v D. Ties to be played on Sunday, July 5 (reserve date, Sunday, July 12).

n HOLLINWOOD will be setting their sights on national honours next season.

The Lime Lane outfit will be flying the flag for the Saddleworth and District Cricket League in the new Cockspur Twenty20 Cup.

Full details have yet to be finalised, but they must first qualify from a preliminary round and then a group stage in the Lancashire Cricket Board region.

Leagues have been asked to nominate their Twenty20 champions, although entry to the competition is optional.

Hollinwood will represent the Saddleworth League after they beat Shaw in the 2008 final.

The draw for the preliminary round will take place in the New Year.

Pictured: Former Hampshire bowler and Test umpire John Holder (third right) was the guest speaker at the Saddleworth and District Cricket League’s annual dinner and prize presentation at Clough Manor. Mr Holder, who is well-known in the area as a former professional and president of CLL outfit Royton, is one of the ICC’s five worldwide regional umpires’ performance managers. Also pictured are Oldham Evening Chronicle cricket correspondent Kevin Richardson (left), treasurer Craig Ramadhin, general secretary Trevor Harrison, Gary Armstrong, of league sponsors Armstrongs Office Furniture, chairman Eddie Bayliss and Matt Williams MC.