Junaid’s 7-62 puts Austerlands on top

PAKISTANI professional Junaid Khan claimed seven for 62 as Austerlands came out on top in a thrilling tussle to go joint-second in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The two-wicket win at Uppermill was the perfect response from the Thorpe Lane outfit after they had gone down to Glodwick a week ago.

A late start — Friday’s heavy rain had taken its toll on the ground — meant the match was reduced to 32 overs per side.

But Khan, in his debut season in the league, ploughed on regardless and he looked more akin to a mountain-cyclist as he traipsed of the field with mud splattered up his back.

The 19-year-old quick bowler finished off the Uppermill innings with a triple-wicket maiden — Michael Brooks, James Baron and Andrew Heap were the men out — to leave Austerlands chasing 151 for victory.

In a game which swung one way and then the other, they eventually reached their target with three balls to spare, Andy Young hitting the winning runs. Abhi Ettimadai had earlier made 37, while Baron bagged four for 42.

Austerlands and Saddleworth are 71 points adrift of Bamford Fieldhouse, who proved too good for Heyside at Hollin Lane.

The fixture featured the reigning champions and last season’s runners-up, but it proved a one-sided contest after Mark Barnes’ boys were reduced to 94 all out. Simon Marshall and former Heyside paid man Mel Austin took four wickets apiece.

Lincoln Roberts was unbeaten on 48 and Bamford pro Stephen Parry compiled 44 as Bamford raced home in only 10.3 overs.

Israh Ur-Haq and Mudassar Butt helped Hollinwood to a 36-run win over Moorside at Lime Lane.

Ur Haq made 77 not out in a total of 173 — JP Lee picked up six of the nine wickets to fall — before Butt’s medium-pacers accounted for six Moorside batsmen for 48 runs. The win lifted Hollinwood up to fourth in the table.

Runs were also in short supply at West View, where Friarmere crashed to 52 all out at home Shaw. Richard Doherty took five for 23.

Rick Harrington’s side lost just the one wicket before achieving their goal.

Meanwhile, the match between Droylsden and Greenfield was abandoned after rain the previous day had made the Oakfield ground unplayable.

Division one: Heyside 94 (S Marshall 4-17, M Austin 4-34), Bamford Fieldhouse 95-1 (L Roberts 48 not out, S Parry 44); Droylsden v Greenfield ˆ no play, ground unfit; Friarmere 52 (R Doherty 5-23), Shaw 53-1; Hollinwood 173-9 (I Ur-Haq 77 not out, JP Lee 6-68), Moorside 137 (M Butt 6-48); Glodwick 73 (S Howard 4-10), Saddleworth 76-3 (D Hesford 36 not out); Uppermill 151 (M Naveed 35, J Khan 7-62), Austerlands 154-8 ( A Ettimadai 37, J Baron 4-42).

Division two: Austerlands 198-6 (J Greenwood 66 not out), Uppermill 173-7 (J Bradbury 62) — match drawn; Glodwick v Saddleworth — no result telephoned in; Droylsden 121, Greenfield 124-3 (R Fitton 58); Heyside 237-1 (A Dexter 133, J Cummings 69), Bamford Fieldhouse 88 (G Drew 4-46); Hollinwood 111 , Moorside 83; Shaw 190-6 (G Lindon 65), Friarmere 193-9 (M Khan 72, W Munir 70 not out).