Cloud nine!
Reporter: Kevin Richardson
Date published: 22 August 2011
CRICKET: UPPERMILL clinched a ninth Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League title without bowling a ball.
Only Saddleworth could have denied the lads from Leefields a first championship since 1984, but they came up well-short against Bamford Fieldhouse.
With Uppermill enjoying an open date, Steven Howard’s side had no answer to the Tanner Cup winners at Well-i-Hole.
Grant Hodnett, the Bamford professional, struck 106 and Dave Roberts, playing against his former club, 58 in a score of 301 for six.
Saddleworth were dismissed for 135 in reply and have slipped to fourth place.
Shaw climbed to third spot after victory over Glodwick, who were restricted to 139 at Holebottom Clough thanks to Jawad Haq’s five for 48 haul.
A rain interruption left the home side chasing a revised target of 121 from 37 overs and they achieved victory for the loss of six wickets.
Heyside crashed to a heavy defeat at home to Friarmere in another game in which the ‘Weathertime System’ was used.
The hosts recorded 200 — they were 120 for seven — but rain meant the West View outfit required 144 from 28 overs. They got them in 18 overs as overseas amateur Hasnain Haider (70) and Darren Shadford (40) sent the ball to all parts of Little Hey Street.
Droylsden continued their pursuit of a top-five finish and place in next season’s LCB Cup with a 16-run win at Hollinwood.
Aqib Uppal, with 76, and 65 from Mohammed Shakir lifted the Oakfield side to 212 for seven, before captain Michael Schofield’s five for 44 return limited Mudassar Butt’s men to 196.
Figures of six for 73 from Adnan Farooq were in vain as Stayley, who set 150 to win at Austerlands, slipped to a 28-run defeat.
The match between Moorside and Greenfield at Turf Pit Lane ended in a draw.
Rahul Panta struck 71 in the visitors’ total of 170 all out, with Lee Warburton bagging five for 82.
After a break for rain, Moorside needed 128 from 33 overs to record their first league win since May 14.
They were on 99 for two when time was called, with Richard Baines unbeaten on 42.
