Agony as Leigh misses Moore Cup showdown

CRICKET:

HOLLINWOOD head to Bamford Fieldhouse on Sunday hoping to lift the Moore Cup for the third time in eight years (start 1.45pm).

But the Lime Lane outfit — four places above their hosts in the Division Two standings — will be without batsman Steve Leigh, who broke his thumb during last weekend’s Division Two fixture at Saddleworth and is almost certain to miss the rest of the season.

Leigh, who had scored 86 in the match, suffered the break while attempting a catch.

Skipper Ammar Iqbal will select from a squad of 13 players, which includes the experienced Stuart Meredith and Mike Walsh, who weighed in with a half-century in the same Saddleworth match.

Bamford Fieldhouse, who hoisted the second XI knock-out cup for the only time in 2000, boast the know-how of Andy Smith-Butler.

The left-arm bowler, who will line-up alongside his son Joe, spent many a season in the first team tying opposition batsmen in knots.

Joe is a talented young batter — he had a trial for Lancashire this season — and has featured for Bamford’s firsts this term.

Also in Michael Drew’s side with experience playing at a higher level are wicketkeeper Jason Maher, Tariq Maqsood and Ray Baker.