Uppermill crash lets Ainley off the hook
Reporter: KEVIN RICHARDSON
Date published: 19 July 2010
Photo: Pictures by CHRIS SUNDERLAND.
SUBTLE TOUCH. . . Chris Gill, who made a vital 95 for Greenfield, glances Uppermill bowler Andrew Jones down the leg side for important runs.
CRICKET:
JONATHAN Ainley was the most relieved man at Leefields yesterday as Greenfield recovered from an almost hopeless position to pip local rivals Uppermill to a place in the final of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League’s Tanner Cup.
The captain was left red-faced after he dropped Andy McVeigh during stand-in professional Bilal Khiljee’s first spell.
The opener went on to make 89, steering Uppermill to within sight of victory and a second successive final against Bamford Fieldhouse.
But Ainley’s blushes were spared by the home side’s capitulation. From 185 for three, they succumbed to 210 all out, still 19 runs short of their victory target.
It was Chris Gill who did the damage with the bat for Greenfield.
The most gifted teenage batsman in the league, he again showcased his talents.
Opening the innings, Chris carried his bat for a superb 95, hitting 12 fours from 123 deliveries to guide Greenfield to 228 for six. It was the 18-year-old’s highest score of the season so far.
His partners at the other end also played their part. Although Khiljee, Delph’s overseas player in the Drakes Huddersfield League, added a disappointing 13, Ryan Fitton made 28 after his 126 for the seconds on Saturday, Alex Peters hit 31 and Chris’s dad, Peter Gill, weighed in with a belligerent 33. The Gills upped the tempo by putting on 46 in five overs.
Uppermill started their reply well, with Mark Berry and McVeigh putting on 61 for the first wicket before the former was trapped lbw by Gill snr for 30.
Matt Jackson carried on the good work until he was stumped by Chris off his dad’s bowling, also for 30. Jackson, in frustration, knocked down the stumps with his bat.
Even after the departures of Nathan Boote (19) and Dave Wood (11), Uppermill were hot favourites.
The turning point came in the 39th over. McVeigh, who seemed destined to reach three figures, carved a delivery from Alex Peters straight to Adam Hayes on the deep cover boundary.
In the same over James Baron (eight) was pinned leg before. Peters finished with figures of three for 39 from his nine overs.
Suddenly, Greenfield had a spring in their step. Moments later Khiljee bagged Matt Taylor, this time Ainley displaying a safe pair of hands to give the Pakistani all-rounder his only wicket.
Skipper Alex Griffiths was run out for three as desperation set in, while Ainley had Michael Salmon were caught behind.
The game was up for Uppermill before the start of the final over, but just for good measure, Peters produced the catch of the day to dismiss number 10 Mark Lees.
The host’ supporters, who were in fine voice for the majority of the contest — Peter Gill came in for some stick while fielding close to a group of their followers — fell silent.
Shell-shocked, Uppermill were left to reflect on their second cup-tie exit in the space of seven days after they lost to Littleborough in the last eight of the LCB Cup.
Greenfield, meanwhile, can look forward to facing Bamford, the holders, on Sunday, August 15, in a repeat of the 2005 final.
Bamford swept to victory in the other last-four tie at Hollin Lane.
Martin Smith was the chief destroyer, claiming five for 22 as opponents Hollinwood, who they were due to meet 24 hours earlier (see other story) crashed to 77 all out.
Bamford were 16 for three at one stage in reply, but an unbeaten 56 from Simon Wright saw Paddy McKeown’s side book a third straight final appearance.
Tanner Cup, semi-finals: Hollinwood 77 (M Smith 5-22), Bamford Fieldhouse 83-4 (Si Wright 56 not out); Greenfield 228-6 (P Gill 95 not out, A McVeigh 3-62), Uppermill 210 (A McVeigh 89, A Peters 3-39). Moore Cup, semi-finals: Shaw 186-9 (K Fullalove 68 not out), Bamford Fieldhouse 191-4 (Q Riaz 60 not out); Greenfield 112, Austerlands 113-2 (A Sunderland 49 not out).
