Saddleworth closing in on rivals Heyside

CRICKET: SADDLEWORTH are hot on the heels of Heyside in the race for the runners-up spot in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

A point separates the two sides with three rounds of fixtures remaining.

But it is advantage Saddleworth as their rivals from Little Hey Street have an open date on the final day of term on September 11.

While Heyside were left twiddling their thumbs at Glodwick — the match at Warren Lane was abandoned without a ball bowled because of rain — Steven Howard’s men were thumping Stayley at Millbrook.

Aussie Peter Skuse, the club’s long-serving professional, bagged seven for 21 as the hosts succumbed for just 78.

Saddleworth coasted home with all 10 wickets intact, which ended a run of three straight defeats for the Well-i-Hole side.

Shaw, who, like Bamford Fieldhouse, also have an eye on second place, had to settle for a draw at Greenfield.

Joe Whitehead hit a superb 112 — his second ton of the summer — as the visitors to Ladhill Lane amassed 253 for seven in a match initially reduced to 43 overs per side due to a late start.

An interruption for rain brought the ‘Weathertime System’ into operation, with Greenfield set 217 to win from 33 overs.

They had reached 188 for eight — overseas amateur Rahul Panta made 56 — when umpires called time. Shaw captain Andy Young claimed four of the wickets to fall for 82 runs.

Brothers Dave and Peter Roberts scored 41 apiece as Bamford got the better of Hollinwood by four wickets at Hollin Lane.

The game was compacted to 30 overs each, because of a wet outfield, with the visitors racking up a useful 198 for five, thanks to fine half-centuries from Shazad Butt (60) and Shahid Naseer (67).

Bamford remain fifth in the table, eight points adrift of Shaw.

Friarmere and Austerlands were each faced with 27 overs at West View.

The home side, taking first knock, made 138 for seven, before limiting Adam Young’s men to 90 all out. Paid man Josh Butler collected five for 31.

There was no play in the other match between Droylsden and Uppermill, the champions, as wet conditions at Oakfield took their toll.