Smith gets Bamford off hook

CRICKET:

HEYSIDE had Bamford Fieldhouse pinned on the ropes with nowhere to go in their Armstrong Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League clash at Hollin Lane on Saturday.

They required 114 from 45 overs to defeat the champions of the last four years.

But one hour, 18 minutes later, it was all over. Heyside had succumbed to 55 all out, with former Oldham quickie Martin Smith snapping up eight for 45.

At the opposite end, partner-in-crime Mel Austin claimed two for seven from 10 overs.

It had started so well for the visitors. Simon Marshall, professional Grant Hodnett and Austin were back in the pavilion with only 10 on the board.

Bromwell Godea, the lively paceman from South Africa, and Stuart Moore had the measure of the league’s strongest batting line-up.

It did not get any better for the home side. Peter Roberts and Simon Wright were trapped by Moore in quick succession after they had inched Bamford up to 33.

Dave Roberts (30) and wicketkeeper Neil Williams (33 not out) denied Heyside long enough to add a vital 54 runs for the sixth wicket.

Liam Garnett had no luck at all after replacing Godea, who impressed with figures of five for 33 from 13 overs.

Moore finished off the innings by removing Smith and Marlon Black for a fine return of five for 48.

Surely, Heyside were on the verge of success. Unfortunately for Nick Campbell's men, it did not pan out that way.

Austin sowed the first seed of doubt when he had Jon Selby caught behind. Selby would go on to hit 95 in Heyside's 62-run defeat of Stayley 24 hours later.

Smith’s first victim was a prized one, pro Roelof Hugo, whose off stump was knocked out of place.

More wickets tumbled as 17 for two became 39 for five, including Steven Firth who top scored with 14.

Heyside needed a partnership, but but all they got was more pain.

Wright, who had spilled a couple of chances in the slips, finally clutched one to get rid of Campbell, before holding a beauty to end Garnett’s resistance.

Last-man Danny Cashin, facing destroyer Smith, lasted just one ball. Agony for Heyside, ecstasy, albeit for one day, for Bamford.