Prolific Perren ends cup dream

CRICKET: UPPERMILL’S hopes of a place in the last four of the LCB Cup were ruined by Littleborough at Leefields yesterday.

But Alex Griffiths’ side, who were chasing a third win in as many days in different competitions, pushed their visitors from the CLL every step of the way before succumbing by 11 runs.

Prolific professional Clinton Perren scored 86 and Phil Deakin 44 as Littleborough made 235 for eight from their 45 overs, adding exactly 100 off the last 10. Andy McVeigh claimed four for 59.

Uppermill were nine for two, but knocks from Nathan Boote (54), James Baron (33) and Griffiths (34) gave hopes of a surprise victory.

However, the hosts’ stubborn resistance was finally ended with nine balls remaining.

The main men with the bat, Perren (three for 64) and Deakin (three for 30) were also among the wickets.

Despite the obvious disappointment of defeat, Uppermill can reflect on a good weekend’s work.

They made it seven wins out of their last eight Saddleworth and District Cricket League games by brushing aside Saddleworth at Leefields.

And after claiming his seven for 11 in the Twenty20 Cup on Friday night, Mark Lees doubled his tally in less than 24 hours with figures of seven for 36.

The right-arm fast-medium bowler helped rip out Saddleworth for 119, which paved the way for a comfortable seven-wicket success.

McVeigh was unbeaten on 52 for Uppermill, who are up to fourth in the table while relegating their opponents to bottom spot.

Friarmere extended their winning sequence in the league to six matches with a two-wicket win over Shaw who, in sharp contrast, have lost their last three games.

Heyside, in second place, remain Bamford Fieldhouse’s nearest challengers after a comprehensive 134-run defeat of Droylsden.

South African professional Roelof Hugo, with an excellent 133 not out, skipper Nick Campbell (64), John Selby (54) and Ben Holt (45) lifted Heyside to a daunting 343 for four.

Scott Bloor, following his six wickets in round two of the Twenty20 Cup, bagged half-a-dozen more as Droylsden were dismissed for 209, Aqib Uppal hitting 77 not out.

Paid man Stephen Parry took six for 55 for Bamford, who beat Austerlands by seven wickets, while stand-in pro Abdul Rehman scored 95 and picked up six for 13 for Hollinwood, who moved off the bottom with a 102-run victory at home to Greenfield.

And Moorside recorded a third straight win after they restricted Stayley to 206 for seven in reply to 228.

Pro Usman Malvi hit 52 and claimed six for 83 for the Millbrook outfit but his efforts, along with those of Lou Adair (75 not out), were in vain.

Results:

Division one: Austerlands 130 (S Parry 6-55), Bamford Fieldhouse 133-3; Shaw 108, Friarmere 110-8; Heyside 343-4 (R Hugo 133 not out, N Campbell 64, J Selby 54, B Holt 45; Droylsden 209 (A Uppal 77 not out, S Bloor 6-78); Hollinwood 213 (A Rehman 95), Greenfield 111 (A Rehman 6-13; Moorside 228 (U Malvi 6-83), Stayley 206-7 (L Adair 77 not out, U Malvi 52); Saddleworth 119 (M Lees 7-36), Uppermill 12-3 (A McVeigh 52 not out).

Division two: Austerlands 142, Bamford Fieldhouse 143-1 (Q Riaz 84); Droylsden 252 (E Wood 79, P Higgins 58), Heyside 196 (S Partington 113); Greenfield 265-8 (R Fitton 76, P Sullivan 54 not out), Hollinwood 267-8 (M Khan 64, S Meredith 60); Stayley 172, (M Buglass 50, B Asim 50), Moorside 112; Shaw 224-8 (P Rowlands 74, K Fullalove 51), Friarmere 225-7 (W Munir 62 not out, A Sutcliffe 52); Uppermill 232 (S Gray 80), Saddleworth 185 (C Lee 50).