Moorside blitzed by rampant Bamford

CRICKET: BAMFORD Fieldhouse blasted 398 – the highest score in Division One of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League this season – before demolishing Moorside for the lowest score, just 31, at Turf Pit Lane on Saturday.

Professional Grant Hodnett crashed 188 from 132 deliveries, which featured 18 fours and half-a-dozen sixes, and Marlon Black also blasted six maximums in a 29-ball 57.

There were also half-centuries from Simon Wright (67) and Paddy McKeown (54).

Mel Austin was Bamford’s chief destroyer with the ball as Moorside succumbed in 12 overs.

The ex-Heyside paid man bagged seven for 14, which included a hat-trick, and was on another in his very next over.

Hodnett followed up by swatting an unbeaten 140 in the 94-run defeat of Shaw at Hollin Lane 24 hours later.

Fellow pro Khurram Shehzad made 91 in reply for Andy Young’s team, who remain in the top five despite only one win in their last seven games.

Saddleworth are neck-and-neck with Heyside in second place after proving too good for Hollinwood at Lime Lane yesterday.

After enjoying an open date on Saturday, Steven Howard’s side returned to action with an emphatic 102-run win.

Greenfield are up to seventh place after beating Stayley and Friarmere respectively.

Adam Hayes, with an unbeaten 55, and Peter Gill’s four for six spoiled the day for Stayley, for whom ’keeper Oram Simms (62) and overseas amateur Adnan Farooq (six for 88) shone.

Moorside, thanks to a fine 80 from Chris Entwistle, recovered from their mauling at home to Bamford with a battling draw at Stayley.

Pro JP Lee, facing his former employers, cracked 115 not out and claimed five for 30, but his side were unable to secure victory.