Dynamic Dent leads Droylsden charge

CRICKET:

DROYLSDEN’S renaissance in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League continued with an impressive eight-wicket defeat of Greenfield at Oakfield.

Without a win to their name last season, Michael Schofield’s men finished firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.

But what a difference a year makes. With the addition of several new faces, most notably bowlers Mohammed Shakir and Wasim Quasim, Droylsden are now a force to be reckoned with.

They climbed three places to fifth after 77 not out from Gareth Dent and Aqib Uppal’s 54 steered them beyond Greenfield’s score of 166 for four in a match reduced to 30 overs per side because of rain.

Teenage wicketkeeper/batsman Chris Gill reached 500 runs for the season during his 88 for Greenfield.

With Heyside enjoying a weekend off, Shaw missed the chance to go second after they drew with Uppermill in another game affected by the elements but it was not for the want of trying.

Defending 154, Shaw bowled 28 overs in just 90 minutes in a bid to complete the match.

But they ran out of time and were relieved as the visitors to Holebottom Clough finished an agonising four runs short of victory when stumps were drawn.

Richard Harrington claimed six of the seven Uppermill wickets to fall for 84 runs.

Captain Kevin Du Feu struck an unbeaten 90 for Austerlands, who were too good for basement boys Saddleworth.

Leading from the front, Du Feu lifted his side to a daunting 197 for two from just 30 overs.

Saddleworth crashed to 92 all out in reply — their lowest score of the season so far.

Friarmere’s Asif Qayyum is a batsman in form — he recently recorded his first century in the league — and he added 78 more runs to his season’s tally against Stayley.

But his efforts were in vain as the clock beat the West View outfit in their quest for a seventh straight success.

Replying to Stayley’s 139 for four — Honey Garg hit 52 in a match limited to 30 overs per side because of rain — Friarmere were 117 for two when time was called.

The match at Bamford Fieldhouse did not go ahead as only three Hollinwood players and the scorer were present at the start time of 1.45pm.

The matter will be referred to the league’s executive committee.

There was no play between Moorside and Glodwick because of a sodden outfield.

Division one: Bamford Fieldhouse v Hollinwood — Hollinwood unable to field eight players at official start time; Greenfield 166-4 (C Gill 88), Droylsden 170-2 (G Dent 77 not out, A Uppal 54); Stayley 139-4 (H Garg 52), Friarmere 117-2 (A Qayyum 78 not out) — draw; Moorside v Glodwick — no play, rain; Austerlands 197-2 (K Du Feu 90 not out), Saddleworth 92; Shaw 154, Uppermill 151-7 (R Harrington 6-84) — draw.

Division two: Austerlands v Saddleworth — no play, rain; Moorside 106, Glodwick 109-5 (U Iqbal 54 not out); Greenfield 323-6 (R Fitton 126, J Hepworth 121), Droylsden 199-5 (T Dent 50 not out, J Walker 54 not out); Hollinwood 189-5 (S Meredith 70), Bamford Fieldhouse 122-6; Stayley 175-9, Friarmere 103 (M Khan 58, S Downend 6-28); Shaw 175-7 (K Fullalove 82), Uppermill 125 (I Johnson 50).