Moorside on course for cup bonus

LLOYD KINGSTON . . . hat-trick.

MOORSIDE were last season’s big under-achievers in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

But what a difference a year has made. A run of eight unbeaten games with half-a-dozen wins has lifted Moorside to sixth in the table and on the verge of the last qualifying place for next season’s LCB Cup.

Their latest success came at the expense of Droylsden.

Spinner Lloyd Kingston was Moorside’s star with the ball, recording a hat-trick in a return of six for 69 as their opponents were dismissed for 182. Gareth Dent hit a fine 69 for Droylsden.

Moorside lost a couple of early wickets in reply, but professional JP Lee and Kashif Khan, with unbeaten knocks of 77 and 67 respectively, sealed victory with plenty to spare.

Heyside defeated Glodwick by seven runs in the clash of the second and third-placed teams at Little Hey Street.

South African pro Roelof Hugo made 80 in the home side’s total of 240 for nine, and they appeared on course for a comfortable afternoon after reducing Glodwick to 22 for five.

Despite victory, Heyside seem set for runners-up spot at best, with Bamford Fieldhouse closing in on a fourth consecutive title.

Paddy McKeown’s boys could seal top honours as early as Saturday after they overcame Shaw by seven wickets.

Uppermill are only a point adrift of Shaw in fifth place after a five-wicket defeat of Austerlands.

And Alex Peters also pocketed five wickets (for 54 runs) as Greenfield disposed of Stayley by 18 runs at Ladhill Lane. Visiting pro Usman Malvi compiled 61 in the unsuccessful run chase.