Aslam in the mood to cause mayhem

IMRAN ASLAM . . . shrugged off the effects of a long flight to take eight wickets last Saturday.

Saddleworth League cricket

FRESH from taking his 100th wicket in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League, Glodwick’s Imran Aslam will be on the hunt for more victims at home to Uppermill tomorrow.

The Pakistani professional reached the milestone with eight for 43 against Stayley.

That was some effort, considering he only touched down from Pakistan at 9pm the previous evening.

Aslam has proved an excellent acquisition for Glodwick since arriving on these shores at the start of last season.

But captain Nigel Stock will be hoping for more runs from the Pakistani, who averaged just 23 with the bat in 2008.

Tomorrow’s game at Warren Lane pits Aslam against top amateur batsman Zeeshan Khan.

Khan has already made one ton and a half-century in four games, although his 50 was in vain as Uppermill slumped to defeat at Saddleworth last Saturday.

Bamford Fieldhouse and Austerlands are neck-and-neck at the top of the table.

The former visit a Stayley side smarting from a couple of disappointing defeats, while Austerlands go to Hollinwood, who are still waiting for the return of paid man Aamir Bashir.

Stayley didn’t do themselves justice against Glodwick and Uppermill, but with pro Rehan Rafiq back in harness — he was on the same flight as Aslam — they will be hoping for an improved showing.

Austerlands were let down by the weather at Bamford — they wanted 55 to win with six wickets in hand when time ran out — but they pulled it out of the fire against Friarmere 24 hours later.

Friarmere only required three runs for victory when they lost their last three wickets with no addition to the score.

Jonathan Ainley’s Greenfield are on a recovery mission against Shaw.

The Ladhill Lane outfit lost their unbeaten record at Moorside after being undone by openers Francis Sutherland and Richard Baines, who put on nearly 200 for the first wicket.

Visitors Shaw will be buoyed by an emphatic 10-wicket win over Droylsden. It was a first win of the season for the Holebottom Clough contingent.

Saddleworth, who go head to head with Friarmere, will also be hurting after letting victory slip through their grasp last weekend.

Peter Skuse’s side did the hard work by bowling out Bamford for 127, but could manage only 87 themselves.

The other game sees Droylsden looking to break their duck at home to Heyside.

Meanwhile, there is an all-Saddleworth League tie in round one of the Barclays Wealth LCB Knock-out Cup on Sunday.

Moorside play host to Uppermill, the winners meeting Oldham or Swinton Moorside in the next round.

Bamford, the reigning league champions, and runners-up Heyside face teams from the Ribblesdale League.

Andy Barton’s Bamford welcome Read to Hollin Lane, while Heyside are away to Edenfield.

Tomorrow (start 1.45pm): Droylsden v Heyside; Glodwick v Uppermill; Greenfield v Shaw; Hollinwood v Austerlands; Saddleworth v Friarmere; Stayley v Bamford Fieldhouse. Open date: Moorside.

Sunday, LCB Knock-out Cup, round one (start 2pm): Edenfield v Heyside; Moorside v Uppermill; Bamford Fieldhouse v Read.


POINTS and a place in round three of the Romida Sykes Cup are up for grabs in the Drakes Huddersfield League this weekend.

Table-toppers Delph visit Broad Oak tomorrow, while mid-table Micklehurst entertain Slaithwaite.

The outstanding cup tie on Sunday sees Grant Jones’ Delph at home to Scholes.

They sit first and second in premiership one, with only a point separating the two teams.

Micklehurst, skippered by Tom Whittle, will be looking to progress at the expense of Holmfirth.


WOODHOUSES will be searching for their fourth straight win when they visit early-season pacesetters Denton West in the Lancashire County League tomorrow.