Friarmere set sights on top-five

CRICKET:

FRIARMERE are enjoying a late run in the race for a top-five finish in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

Champions Uppermill, Heyside and Bamford Fieldhouse have booked their places in next year’s LCB Cup, leaving two spots up for grabs with one round to go.

Shaw and Saddleworth, fourth and fifth respectively, each have 321 points, with Friarmere on 305. With a maximum 22 points available, the West View outfit can make the first-round draw if results go their way.

Friarmere opened up with a seven-wicket defeat of Saddleworth — Gary Kershaw’s team successfully chased down a revised target of 95 from 32 overs after the hosts were dismissed for 121. Aussie professional Josh Butler claimed five for 44.

They had to settle for a tie 24 hours later at home to Hollinwood, who took first knock.

Both sides recorded 197, with captain Mudassar Butt (59), paid man Ahmed Butt (53) and Shahid Naseer (50) making half-centuries for the visitors, while Darren Shadford replied with 68 for Friarmere.

Friarmere’s match at Saddleworth was one of only two played to a finish on Saturday because of rain.

In the other, Hollinwood emerged victorious against Stayley at Lime Lane.

Set a revised target of 133 from 27 overs — the visitors were earlier restricted to 189 for six — Butt’s side registered an eight-wicket success.

In yesterday’s action, Uppermill pro Imran Aslam bagged another six victims — he also picked up half-a-dozen against Bamford on Saturday — in a comfortable win over Stayley.

Despite a comfortable afternoon’s work at home to Moorside, Nick Campbell’s Heyside can still be pipped for runners-up spot by Bamford Fieldhouse who, thanks to Simon Wright’s unbeaten 78, overcame Droylsden by three wickets.

It was a glum weekend for Saddleworth, who also lost to Glodwick, while Adam Hayes’ 88 plus Alex Peters’ four-wicket haul helped Greenfield get the better of Austerlands.