Uppermill make title statement
Reporter: kevin Richardson
Date published: 13 June 2011
CRICKET: ANOTHER defeat, another blow to Bamford Fieldhouse’s bid for a fifth straight Saddleworth and District Cricket League title.
Uppermill, flying high at the top of the table, were simply too good for the Hollin Lane side on Saturday.
The margin of victory, by 130 runs, tells its own story. Bamford, with their crown already slipping after three previous defeats, were well beaten.
Andy McVeigh (46) and Michael Brooks (53) added 105 for the first wicket, before Bamford hit back to leave Uppermill 175 for seven, with new-boy Kyle Hodnett claiming one for 42 and elder brother and professional, Grant, bagging three for 47 .
Last season, Alex Griffiths’ men would have perhaps fallen away. That was then, this is now.
Matt Taylor, who has done much to mould Uppermill into a competitive outfit since his arrival from Oldham, hit an unbeaten 35. He put on 38 priceless runs with Adam Robinson (16 not out) for the eighth wicket.
Bamford never threatened to win the game. With 15 on the board, key batsman Grant Hodnett was bowled by Imran Aslam for nine.
The Pakistani paid man went on to grab five for 36, while fellow spinner James Baron had figures of four for 18.
Simon Wright top scored with 28 and put on 21 alongside Paddy McKeown for the third wicket.
The rest of Bamford’s batsmen, as so often has been the case this season, offered little resistance.
Wicketkeeper Neil Williams tried to take the attack to Uppermill by smashing Aslam over mid-on for six. Aslam got his revenge the very next ball.
With the score on 83, Bamford were put out of their misery, Baron taking the final wicket in the 36th over.
The gap between the summit and McKeown’s side in sixth place is 59 points, with Uppermill, Shaw, Heyside, Glodwick and Saddleworth all standing in their way.
None of them will move over without a fight.
