Skuse’s Sunday best

A WEEK after freeing himself of the Saddleworth captaincy, Peter Skuse posted his first century of the season to all but extinguish Heyside's faint hopes of clinching the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League title.

The Australian professional has endured a testing summer with the bat — he was averaging below 40 before last weekend — but he proved the old adage correct of form is temporary and class is permanent by scoring a superb 114 not out in a four-wicket win at Well-i-Hole.

In an extraordinary first half of the game, second-placed Heyside were 11 for six, but they recovered to 187 all out, thanks to 79 not out from Liam Garnett.

Basement boys Saddleworth were 110 for three with 17 overs remaining, but Skuse calmed any nerves floating in the home dressing room with an assured display.

Leaders Bamford Fieldhouse, with matches in hand over their nearest rivals, are closing in on a fourth straight championship.

Simon Marshall claimed five for 27 as they dismissed Greenfield for 111, but stand-in pro Bilal Khiljee bagged six for 25 to ensure Paddy McKeown's side had to dig deep for their runs. Dave Roberts hit a vital 59.

Uppermill dropped two places to fifth after defeat to Moorside yesterday following Saturday's mauling by Glodwick. See separate story.

Dismissed for 154 — Lloyd Kingston collected five for 23 — Alex Griffiths' men prized out eight Moorside wickets but were unable to force victory.

A weekend win double for Glodwick has lifted the Warren Lane outfit to fourth and within touching distance of Heyside.

After overwhelming Uppermill, they were equally as impressive at home to Austerlands, who managed just 87. Glodwick lost two wickets in reply.

Saddleworth remain at the foot of the table after Hollinwood, spurred by deputy pro I Aszal's (CHECK) haul of seven for 58, swept aside Stayley by 94 runs at Millbrook.

Shakeel Saddique was unbeaten on 70 in Hollinwood's total of 204. Stayley's paid man Usman Malvi reached 50 wickets for the season with seven for 102.

After two consecutive wins, Andy Young tasted defeat for the first time as Shaw's new skipper.

The hosts were reduced to 108 all out by Droylsden, who scraped home with three wickets to spare.


Scores —


Division one: Greenfield 111 (S Marshall 5-27), Bamford Fieldhouse 114-7 (D Roberts 59, B Khiljee 6-25); Austerlands 87, Glodwick 91-2; Uppermill 154 (L Kingston 5-23), Moorside 157-8; Heyside 187 (L Garnett 79 not out), Saddleworth 188-6 (P Skuse 113 not out); Shaw 108, Droylsden 109-7; Hollinwood 204 (S Saddique 70 not out, U Malvi 7-102), Stayley 110 (I Aszal 7-58).

Division two: Austerlands v Glodwick — no result telephoned in; Droylsden 273-5 (D Evans 112, A Chicarillo 74), Shaw 163-5 (C Thompson 67); Bamford Fieldhouse 86 (D Gill 6-14), Greenfield 91-4; Heyside 76 (C Lee 7-23), Saddleworth 78-2 (S Chamberlain 55 not out); Stayley 206, Hollinwood 207-7 (M Sami 55, M Kamran 80 not out); Moorside 109, Uppermill 110-3 (J Bradbury 53 not out).


CHRIS Lee claimed four wickets in as many balls for Saddleworth seconds, who defeated their Heyside counterparts by eight wickets at Little Hey Street.

Lee's stunning spell helped reduce the hosts to 38 for seven. He eventually finished with figures of seven for 23 as Heyside crashed to 76 all out.