Local bragging rights at stake

CRICKET:

WHIT weekend means one thing in the Armstrong Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League — three days of full-throttle derby action.

Local bragging were on the line today — weather permitting — when Greenfield entertained a Saddleworth team chasing a seventh consecutive win. Well-i-Hole is the venue for the return fixture tomorrow.

The stand-out tussle of the weekend features Shaw and Heyside, with the former enjoying home advantage first up.

Sitting in second and third respectively, neither team will want to give ground in the pursuit of leaders Uppermill.

They each boast professionals at the top of their game in all-rounder Khurram Shehzad, in his debut season at Shaw, and wicketkeeper/batsman Roelof Hugo, who has established himself as one of the top paid men in the league at Heyside.

Uppermill face a double-header against third-bottom Friarmere, who were rocked this week after learning experienced overseas amateur Zafar Iqbal was turned down in his efforts to obtain a visa.

Captain Gary Kershaw is also without opening batsman Darren Graham and ’keeper Andy Walker. Not what you need when Uppermill, unbeaten since the first day of the season, are on the horizon.

Glodwick, who returned to winning ways at home to Austerlands last Saturday, face the challenge of Hollinwood, who climbed off the bottom after easily disposing of Stayley six days ago.

They were replaced by Moorside, who are without a win for more than a month.

But the troops from Turf Pit Lane will fancy their chances of removing themselves from the cold list as they face an Austerlands side who have lost their last five games.

Droylsden, up against Stayley, are also suffering from a dip in form.

They last tasted victory on May 21, but were in the box-seat to win a couple of those matches in that period.