Captain: It’s good to talk

MOORSIDE are hoping to finish the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League season with a flourish.

The Turf Pit Lane outfit were tipped as a potential top-three side in April but instead are languishing in the bottom five with only four wins to their name.

Now, following a positive players’ meeting, first-season captain Francis Sutherland wants to wrap up 2009 on a high note.

“Ideally, we’d like to win every one of our remaining seven games, but that is a tall order, so initially we are targeting our four matches at home,” said the 38-year-old batsman.

“We want take some good memories from the season and also lay a solid platform for next year. We can then build through the winter by acquiring one or two new players.”

That players’ meeting was held in the aftermath of the victory over Droylsden two weeks ago.

Moorside were missing several first XI regulars through one reason or another and started the game with only eight men.

They eventually finished up with 10 on the field and won by six wickets.

Sutherland said: “There was a frank exchange of views after the game about various issues.

“We also got together after nets the following midweek when all the first team were present.

“It was good to have a chat about things and now we can get on with winning a few matches.”

Sutherland is a naturally positive person but admits he has found the whole responsibility of captaincy more difficult than he first envisaged.

Results on the field haven’t helped — they also suffered a first-round exit in the Tanner Cup — as only a handful of players have shown a consistent level of form.

Sutherland and Richard Baines can hold their heads up — they average 37 and 42 respectively — so too Glen McFadyean, who has taken 30 wickets at 15.3.

Professional JP Lee is discovering his best form after struggling with injury in the middle part of the season and Moorside are eager to retain him for 2010.

Sutherland said: “I don’t think I’ve been able to name the same XI for consecutive weeks.

“I’ve had players either on holiday, working or at weddings, which makes my job a lot harder.

“JP has been a bit unlucky. He bowled really well and beaten the edge on numerous occasions, but hasn’t got the wickets he has probably deserved.”