Champions Uppermill in flying start

CRICKET:

REIGNING champions Uppermill claimed back-to-back wins and Bamford Fieldhouse professional Grant Hodnett smashed a double-century as the Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League finally got under way after three wash-outs.

New signing Dave Oldfield bagged six wickets for seven runs off nine overs for Uppermill in the defeat of Droylsden on Saturday.

Spinner James Baron weighed in with seven for 48 in Uppermill’s defeat of Heyside 24 hours later. Andy McVeigh was unbeaten on 54 for the home side, who reached their target of 147 in 29.3 overs.

Hodnett, Bamford’s paid man, blitzed 216 not out from just 120 balls in the 289-run win at Micklehurst on Sunday.

Dropped on several occasions, the opener struck 14 fours and 16 sixes. He put on 146 with new boy Michael Stevens for the first wicket — the latter contributed 29 — and 160 for the second alongside ex-Lancashire and Surrey leg-spinner Chris Schofield (81 from 61 balls).

Micklehurst, who only had nine men, managed just 74.

Hodnett made 50 not out in Bamford’s nine-wicket victory over Friarmere on Saturday.

Saddleworth pro Peter Skuse recorded stunning figures of nine for 35 in the 158-run win over Hollinwood on the same afternoon, while team-mate Ryan McGrath grabbed eight for 31 in the 99-run success at Stayley on Sunday.

Shaw’s overseas amateur Oral Rankine made a fine start to his Saddleworth League career. The West Indian scored an unbeaten 95 in the seven-wicket victory over Heyside and 67 in the defeat by Austerlands, who produced the perfect response after losing to Micklehurst a day earlier.