Saddleworth thank Skuse for perfect 10

CRICKET:

RAIN had an impact on all six games in Division One of the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League — but all were played to a finish.

The stand-out fixture was between Saddleworth and Heyside, who started the day second and third respectively.

With both sides desperate to keep tabs on high-flying Uppermill, it was a game neither could afford to lose.

And it was Steven Howard’s Saddleworth team who emerged victorious — their 10th on the spin in the league — by an eight-wicket margin at Little Hey Street.

In a match reduced to 37 overs per side, Heyside crashed to 115 all out. Steve Holmes and professional Peter Skuse were the chief destroyers with five for 22 and four for 48 respectively.

Aussie Skuse was also to the fore with the bat, guiding his side to the target with an unbeaten 43.

Pacesetters Uppermill were made to work mighty hard for their two-wicket victory over Moorside at Turf Pit Lane.

Danny Anchor hit a fine 82 not out and Francis Sutherland made 39 in a total of 151 for six.

Lee Warburton then weighed in with four for 62 as Uppermill stumbled over the winning line.

Shaw, in fourth spot, narrowed the gap on local rivals Heyside to eight points after a 16-run defeat of Hollinwood at Holebottom Clough.

Khurram Shehzad’s 86 — the Pakistani all-rounder has now scored more than 600 runs in his debut season in the league — was the mainstay in the home side’s 162. Opposing skipper Mudassar Butt claimed five for 60.

Hollinwood were restricted to 146 for nine in reply, with overseas amateur Jawad Haq bagging five for 61.

Bamford Fieldhouse leapfrogged Glodwick into fifth place after a nine-wicket success over the Warren Street outfit.

Friarmere are hot on the heels of Glodwick after a second century of the season from Asif Qayyum helped Gary Kershaw’s side to a 27-run win over Stayley at West View.

Qayyum hit 100 and overseas amateur Husnain Haider compiled 53 out of 211 for four in a match originally reduced to 29 overs.

Stayley were set a revised target of 195 from 26 overs after a rain delay, but they could only manage 168 for the loss of four wickets.

Greenfield were also given a new goal — 77 from 22 overs — after Droylsden crashed to 116 all out.

And they got there without losing a wicket, thanks to Rahul Panta’s unbeaten 50.