Super Shaw master the elements
Reporter: Kevin Richardson
Date published: 16 May 2011
Photo: Pictures by TIM BRADLEY.
STUDY IN CONCENTRATION... Bamford professional Grant Hodnett, watched by Shaw wicketkeeper Matthew Chadwick, rocks on to the back foot.
CRICKET:
SHAW created Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League history on Saturday — and bagged the prized scalp of champions Bamford Fieldhouse in the process.
They became the first side to win using the ‘Weather System’, introduced at the start of the season to determine the results of matches when the elements intervene.
A rain-delayed start at Holebottom Clough left Bamford with 41 overs to rack up the runs.
After blitzing their way to 210 for three with eight overs still to be bowled — brothers Pete and Dave Roberts were going merrily along on 36 and 35 respectively — they decided to declare.
However, a weather interruption in the Bamford innings required the two umpires to calculate a revised target — 187 to win from 35 overs — and, thanks to professional Khurram Shehzad’s 68 not out, Shaw clinched the stand-out victory of the campaign so far.
With Glodwick having an open weekend, Uppermill climbed to the top of the table with an 108-run win over Austerlands, who also had aspirations of reaching the summit.
That man Imran Aslam did the damage again. Requiring 176 for victory — Dave Oldfield picked up five for 85 — Adam Young’s side crashed to a season-low 67 all out, with the Pakistani pro weaving his magic to the tune of six for 29.
Droylsden moved into second after an emphatic 129-run victory over Heyside.
A fine knock of 92 from captain Michael Schofield lifted his side to 263 for nine, before Wasim Qasim weighed in with six for 47.
Greenfield finally got their noses in front at home to Friarmere.
In a match reduced to 22 overs per side, the visitors reached 135 for seven wickets, six of which were snapped up by Peter Gill.
Overseas amateur Rahul Panta saw his side home with an unbeaten 53.
Mudassar Butt was also in the ‘six club’ as Hollinwood won at Saddleworth, restricting the hosts to 148 for eight, in reply to 184 for seven.
Danny Anchor fell three runs short of a century, but his knock enabled Moorside to get the better of Stayley at Turf Pit Lane.
