Club lifted by Moore Cup run

CRICKET:

AT last! Moorside Cricket Club have something to smile about.

These are tough times for the Turf Pit Lane outfit, with Lloyd Kingston’s first XI rooted to the foot of the table and out of both the Tanner Cup and Twenty20 competitions.

However, the second team are one step away from this year’s final of the Moore Cup.

And with Bamford Fieldhouse up next in the semi-final — their opponents are only two places above them in the standings — Moorside have every chance of going all the way.

The other last-four tie should also be a close affair, with mid-table rivals Glodwick and Hollinwood meeting at Warren Lane.


JOE Smith-Butler made history on Sunday by becoming the third member of the family to play for Bamford Fieldhouse’s first XI.



The 14-year-old was following in the footsteps of dad, Andy, and granddad, John, who captained the team in the South Lancashire League in the early 1980s.

Joe, who has now represented Bamford at every level, opened the innings with former Gloucestershire player Grant Hodnett and scored four runs.

Club chairman Andy Barton said: “Joe was not overawed at all.

“Droylsden have a good bowling attack and he had the confidence to leave a few deliveries.

“He looks a good prospect.”


GREENGATE progressed to the Ashton and Oldham Alliance’s Phoenix Trophy semi-finals after clinching victory at Europa Exiles.

The hosts batted first, A Hodgson scoring 44 on the way to a total of 124 for nine.

But 56 from V Clark helped the away team to a seven-wicket triumph. B Harwood claimed three for 27 for Europa.

Newtonhurst also reached the last four after winning the coin toss against St Mary’s HC — play was not possible due to heavy rain.

And the weather conditions also ruled out action between Friends and Heyside thirds, with a winner yet to be determined.

Foresters are in the semi-finals courtesy of a bye.

Europa and St Mary’s HC head to the semi-finals of the Fawcett/Penney Supplementary Cup.