Skipper Stock: I expect a backlash

Imran Aslam

CRICKET:

BEWARE the wounded animal. That’s the warning from Glodwick captain Nigel Stock as his side prepares to face Uppermill in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League’s Tanner Cup.

The high-flyers suffered a first defeat since the opening day of the season at home to Friarmere last weekend.

And Glodwick are looking to add to their misery at Leefields tomorrow in the last-eight of the knock-out competition.

But Stock knows that Uppermill will be desperate to dodge another mishap as they seek to end a 26-year wait for a first XI trophy.

Glodwick will come up against their former professional Imran Aslam, who is already approaching 70 wickets this term.

Stock said: “There is the danger of a backlash and we’re wary of that, but we’ll give it our best shot.

“Although Mark Whitehead is missing, we’ve still got plenty of bowlers.

“Imran Aslam can only bowl nine overs, so others might be a little bit rusty.

“We’ve yet to win a Tanner Cup tie (Glodwick had a bye in the first round) in five seasons in the league, so this would be a good time to break our duck.”

Saddleworth put their eight-match unbeaten run to the test in this weekend’s quarter-final ties.

Steven Howard’s side, who are up to fourth place in the table after a turnaround in fortunes, are at home to holders Bamford Fieldhouse.

Remarkably for Paddy McKeown’s Bamford, this competition represents their best chance of picking up a piece of silverware this season.

Out of both the LCB and National cups and off the pace in the title race, the Tanner Cup has extra significance to the Hollin Lane team.

However, Saddleworth would like nothing more than to send one of their great rivals crashing out of the competition.

And they already hold the edge over Bamford after beating them in the league at the end of May.

Hollinwood, who have improved steadily over recent weeks, visit Heyside.

The hosts are favourites to progress, but as good as they were in brushing aside Shaw last Sunday by 10 wickets, they were not so good when caving in meekly against the same opponents 24 hours earlier.

Friarmere captain Gary Kershaw will hope Asif Qayyum has got his eye when Greenfield come calling.

A superb 155 from Qayyum demolished Uppermill, and more of the same could put paid to the visitors’ hopes of reaching the last four.

Meanwhile, Heyside should leap into second place when they play lowly Moorside in the league on Sunday as Shaw have an open date.