Hugo blow leaves Moorside on look-out

CRICKET:

MOORSIDE Cricket Club are on the look-out for a new professional.

The Turf Pit Lane outfit had hoped to sign Roelof Hugo for the 2012 Saddleworth and District Cricket League season.

However, the popular wicketkeeper-batsman is to remain at home in South Africa because of personal reasons.

Club president Ray Entwistle said: “Everyone is very disappointed, but we understand the circumstances. Family always has to come first.

“Roelof is nice lad and a very good player, and we were all looking forward to seeing him here.

“Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out and the task now is to try to get someone else in.”

Hugo was all set to join Moorside after five successful years as paid man at Heyside.

With more than 5,000 runs and 13 centuries in five campaigns at Little Hey Street, he had become one of the leading lights in the league.

This was also to be his swansong as a professional cricketer, before returning to South Africa for good.

Meanwhile, Bamford Fieldhouse are hoping to call upon Warren Hegg again this year.

The former Lancashire and England wicketkeeper has played a handful of games for the Hollin Lane side in the National Knock-out Cup.

But he could be available for league action as Bamford attempt to win back the title from Uppermill.

The Tanner Cup winners have also replaced Simon Wright, Dave Roberts and Kyle Hodnett with a trio of new acquisitions.

Batsman and off-spinner Ammer Mirza, who has played in the Lancashire and Huddersfield competitions, has joined the ranks.

All-rounder JP Lee, the former pro at Moorside and Stayley, will play for Bamford as an amateur while another new boy, ex-Lancaster captain Michael Stevens, is earmarked to open the innings.

Bamford have retained Grant Hodnett, older brother of Kyle, as pro and Paddy McKeown will remain as captain.