New arrivals lift club

CRICKET:

HOLLINWOOD are confident of fielding two teams in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League this weekend.

The Lime Lane outfit had to forfeit both second XI games against Greenfield and Bamford Fieldhouse because they were unable to raise a side.

But Hollinwood, who are the reigning division two champions, are positive they will name a full contingent of players against Saddleworth (Saturday) and Shaw (Sunday).

The seconds could only name seven players at home to Greenfield last weekend — the minimum requirement is eight — and they had four more cry-offs for the visit to Bamford. The club are facing a £75 fine for each occasion for non-fulfilment of fixture.

The club’s league representative Eddie Hardaker said: “My telephone didn’t stop ringing from 9.30pm on Friday to noon on Saturday, with players saying they were unable to play because of one reason or another.

“It was a catalogue of illness, injuries, previous commitments and holidays. It was incredible. At first I felt if I was ready to cry, but as time wore on, I became more philosophical about the situation.”

Hollinwood were already minus professional Aamir Bashir and all-rounder Shahzad Sadaqat — they were stuck in Pakistan — before they were hit with a series of late withdrawals.

Stuart Meredith, Mike Walsh and Nick Heap were supposed to be on second-team duty against Greenfield, but they ended up being called into the firsts. However, none of the three were available to play 24 hours later.

And to make matters worse, captain Steve Bowers dislocated a finger while attempting to take a catch for the firsts on Saturday — Hollinwood lost by eight wickets — and missed the rest of the weekend.

It meant the club were forced to name five juniors in their first team at Bamford so that the game could go ahead.

Amar Iqbal, the second-team vice-captain, stepped in to lead the side as the senior most player available. They were bowled out for 41 and lost by nine wickets to the reigning champions.

But there is a chink of light at the end of the tunnel, according to Hardaker.

He said: “We’ve managed to register five players, including Danny Lee and Gary Harrison, who have come back to the club. That’s half a team for a start.

“Rashid Khan, who I had trouble getting hold of, is available for both days and Steve Bowers should be fit.

“I can’t thank Rashid and Amar (Iqbal) enough. They have really rallied round and were instrumental in bringing down three of the new players. They’ve been a great help.”