Iqbal ton paves way to victory

ASIF IQBAL struck a maiden century for Hollinwood as they climbed to second place in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The Pakistani professional was unbeaten on 115 in his side’s total of 253 for seven at Shaw. It was the first time this season that a Lime Lane player had reached three figures.

Despite 51 from Dave Andrew, Shaw were bowled out for 142 in reply. Rashid Khan finished with figures of five for 34

A maximum points haul, plus defeats for Austerlands (see separate story) and Saddleworth, lifted Hollinwood to second in the table, albeit a country mile adrift of Bamford Fieldhouse.

Saddleworth were unable to remove leading overseas amateur Zeeshan Khan as they went down by two wickets at Uppermill.

Defending 154, Peter Skuse’s side threw everything at the Pakistani all-rounder, but to no avail as Khan finished unbeaten on 76.

Friarmere bounced back from last weekend’s humbling against Shaw - they slumped to 52 all out - with a morale-boosting five-wicket win at Heyside.

Thanks to an invaluable 96 not out from Nick Campbell, Heyside reached 180, but 65 from opener Darren Graham provided Friarmere with a solid platform from which they were able to complete only their fourth success of the season.

Lou Adair compiled a superb 129 not out to hoist Stayley to a commanding 216 for six from 45 overs at Glodwick.

The home side managed 153 in reply as defeat saw them slip one place to sixth.

Moorside paid man JP Lee’s second consecutive six-wicket show sent basement boys Droylsden spiralling to 92 all out at Turf Pit Lane.

The hosts lost four wickets before passing the winning post, with captain Francis Sutherland finishing one run shy of a half-century.

Scores -

Division one: Bamford Fieldhouse 171-9 (P Roberts 42, J Khan 6-64), Austerlands 85; Stayley 216-9 (L Adair 129 not out), Glodwick 153; Heyside 180 (N Campbell 96 not out), Friarmere 183-5 (D Graham 65); Droylsden 92 (JP Lee 6-30), Moorside 93-4 (F Sutherland 49 not out); Hollinwood 253-7 (A Iqbal 115 not out), Shaw 142 (D Andrew 51, R Khan 5-34); Saddleworth 154, Uppermill 157-8 (Z Khan 76 not out).

Division two: Austerlands 114, Bamford Fieldhouse 101; Droylsden v Moorside 23-5; Heyside 73 (Q Ahmed 5-26), Friarmere 77-3; Hollinwood 183-5 (S Bowers 55), Shaw 104 (S Ishaq 6-16); Uppermill 104 (M Jackson 46, L Bayliss 4-23, including hat-trick), Saddleworth 106-3 (R Jones 55 not out); Glodwick 98-8, Stayley 59 (B Malik 5-9).


THE match between Droylsden and Moorside in division two was abandoned. The umpire is to forward a report to the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.