Saddleworth pair enjoy tons of fun

CRICKET: SKIPPER Steven Howard and Australian professional Peter Skuse recorded their first centuries of the season as Saddleworth secured a 1-1 draw with Greenfield in the Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League Whit derby double-header.

Greenfield, the visitors to Well-i-Hole, claimed the first-day spoils with a six-wicket victory.

Adam Hayes made 72 out of 179 for four in reply to the hosts 176 for eight.

Saddleworth were 105 for eight, but set a competitive total thanks to the resistance of ninth-wicket pair Danny Meehan (32) and Ryan McGrath (28).

Saddleworth, eyeing a first league win since May 6, levelled things up 24 hours later after they had raced to an impressive 302 for five.

While the captain was at the crease, Greenfield had an outside chance.

Peters had moved on to 73 when bowler Steve Holmes somehow clutched an exocet of a return catch.

Dumbfounded at Holmes’ effort, he trudged back to the changing rooms and with him disappeared Greenfield’s hopes of victory.

All they could do was pray for rain. It did come, but not soon enough to save last-man Josh Higgins with the total on 212.



Another centurion, Friarmere’s Andy Walker (109), was unable to prevent his side from slipping to a seven-wicket defeat at Uppermill.

The reigning champions were set a revised target of 154 after rain had interrupted play at Leefields. James Baron and Darren Shadford finished unbeaten on 51 and 48 respectively.



Shaw registered a first league win since the opening day when they chased down Heyside’s 249 for seven.

Gerrie Snyman’s 94 for the hosts was in vain after Matthew Chadwick made 68 and Abdul Fazil 65.



Imran Asghar picked up a superb eight for 37 as Glodwick, requiring a revised target of 79 off 37 overs, beat Droylsden by nine wickets.

Lee Warburton bagged five for 59 for Moorside, who made it four wins on the spin with a six-wicket success at Austerlands. Pro Humayun Farhat made 51 for the home side.



And Usman Malvi had plenty to smile about in Stayley’s emphatic 140-run defeat of Micklehurst at Millbrook.

The Indian overseas amateur compiled 87 — paid man Kamran Hussain added 83 in a total of 224 for five declared — and collected six for 34.



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