Hollinwood in push for runners-up spot

HOLLINWOOD can tomorrow enhance their claims of a top-two finish in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The Lime Lane outfit are second in the table, but breathing down their necks are Saddleworth, Austerlands and Uppermill.

Hollinwood, who boast recent centurion Asif Iqbal in their side, visit Austerlands, and victory would boost their hopes of claiming runners-up spot behind champions-elect Bamford Fieldhouse.

Saddleworth, under Peter Skuse, will have something to say about that, and they go to second-from-bottom Friarmere, who were lifted by an excellent win at Heyside two weeks ago.

Uppermill are hitting form at the right time — they have won three of their last four competitive games — as they count down to the Tanner Cup final at Bamford on August 16.

But Matt Taylor’s men will have to be wary of opponents Glodwick, who welcome back influential pro Imran Aslam.

The Pakistani, who is leading the batting averages and is second in the bowling charts, was due back from suspension last weekend, only for the weather to intervene.

With the title virtually in the bag, unbeaten Bamford will be setting their sights on win number 14 at home to Stayley.

Heyside are looking forward to the Twenty20 Cup semi-finals at the end of the month — the draw for the last-four takes place on Monday — so players will be eager to stake their claim for places when they play host to Droylsden.

After a heavy defeat at home to Hollinwood, Shaw are on the comeback trail against Greenfield at Holebottom Clough.

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


DELPH, who sit 19 points off the pace set by Scholes, are at home to Broad Oak in premiership one of the Drakes Huddersfield League tomorrow.


WOODHOUSES, who are in fifth place, visit Flowery Field in the Lancashire County League tomorrow.