Dominant Bamford make it four titles in a row

Photo: Chris Sunderland

PARADE OF STARS . . . Bamford Fieldhouse’s Tanner Cup-winning team, from left, back: Martin Smith, Peter Roberts, Simon Wright, Dave Roberts, Stephen Parry, Jason Maher, Simon Marshall, Marlon Black. Front: Quasier Riaz, Jack Kelliher, Paddy McKeown (captain), Mel Austin.

CRICKET: BAMFORD Fieldhouse clinched an unprecedented fourth straight Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League title with a four-wicket defeat of Glodwick at Hollin Lane.

In a low-scoring encounter, man-of-the-moment Peter Roberts claimed four for 27 as Nigel Stock’s side succumbed to 70 all out.

Bamford lost early wickets in reply — Glodwick professional Imran Aslam collected four for 25 — before securing top honours for the season with two games to go.

Heyside seem almost certain to finish second best despite suffering a wash-out at home to Friarmere as Uppermill, in third, lost by six wickets to Droylsden.

An unbeaten 72 from captain Alex Griffiths and 63 from Michael Brooks lifted Uppermill to 219 for six at Oakfield, but Droylsden had their own in-form batsmen, namely Aqib Uppal (67) and skipper Michael Schofield (65 not out).

Ben Willis hit 51 not out for Saddleworth in an eight-wicket defeat of Stayley, for whom Honey Garg made 64.

Nuwantha Athauda was also unbeaten on 61 for Austerlands in a four-wicket triumph at basement boys Hollinwood. Steve Leigh made 51 not out for the home side.

Rain ruled out play in the other fixture between Greenfield and Moorside.