Champions eye grandstand finish

CRICKET: WITH the Saddleworth and District Cricket League title safely tucked away, Uppermill could be excused for lifting their foot off the gas — not a bit of it according to skipper Alex Griffiths.

The lads from Leefields bagged their first Hollingworth Challenge Cup since 1984 when Saddleworth lost to Bamford Fieldhouse last weekend.

Such is their dominance this season — they have only lost two league games and one of those was on the opening day — Uppermill are celebrating the championship with four rounds of fixtures remaining.

But Griffiths, who admitted to being a “bit overwhelmed by it all”, promises his team will be trying their best right through to September 11, especially with the last-six and aggregate trophies still at stake.

“It’s a funny one, as obviously it’s hard to stay motivated when the title is won,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman.

“We had a chat about it the other day and felt it was important to win every game until the end of the season.

“That way it not only maintains the momentum going into next year, but it keeps everyone in a good mood.”

Although professional Imran Aslam has stolen many of the headlines over the past few months — the Pakistani has claimed more than 100 wickets in his first season at the club — Griffiths insists there is a lot more to Uppermill than one player.

He explained: “As I’ve stressed before, it has been an altogether rounded effort to get to this point and it reflects well on everybody.

“The likes of Matt Taylor, Andy McVeigh, James Baron and Dave Wood have weighed in with some vital knocks, whereas Imran has not scored as many runs as he would have probably wanted when he first arrived here.

“Matt, especially, seems able to adapt his game. Like all of us, he’s getting a little older and wiser, and that experience counts for a lot in tight situations.”

Griffiths won the title on two previous occasions with Saddleworth, but this has meant much more to the 29-year-old.

He stayed away from Saddleworth last weekend — it was Uppermill’s open date — and dared not contemplate the championship until he knew for certain they could not be caught.

Griffiths said: “I was on edge, even though the odds were stacked well in our favour.

“We all know stories of teams in healthy positions and blowing it — that nearly happened when I was at Saddleworth and we played Friarmere on the last day of the season a few years back.

“It was only when Pete Dyson called me with the other result that I could relax.”

He added: “I’m thrilled to bits. It means a lot to the players and to the club, who haven’t had a trophy for near on 30 years.

“I’ve won the league and Tanner Cup before, but this is miles better because I never thought I’d get the opportunity to captain a title-winning side.”