Top dogs suffer as unbeaten runs go

CRICKET; UPPERMILL and Bamford Fieldhouse, the top two teams in the Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League before the start of play, saw their unbeaten records wiped out.

Leaders 'Mill fell nine runs short of victory at home to Shaw.

Professional Lundi Mbane and overseas amateur Oral Rankine have already proved their worth to the Holebottom Clough outfit – this is the pair's first season in the league – and scores of 79 and 55 respectively helped their side to 196 for nine. Dave Oldfield claimed four wickets for 53 runs.

Michael Brooks was unbeaten on 62 for 'Mill in reply, but it wasn't quite enough.

Greenfield took advantage of Bamford's double engagement to register a five-wicket success at Hollin Lane.

Ryan Fitton picked up four for 24 as the hosts, who included Marlon Black and Mark Chadwick in their XI, were restricted to 146 for nine.

Adam Hayes compiled 51 for Greenfield, who are now two points adrift of Bamford in fourth spot.

Saddleworth climbed one place to second – they are 14 points behind Uppermill – after an emphatic seven-wicket defeat of strugglers Austerlands at Nursery Fields.

Aussie pro Peter Skuse was the chief destroyer with five for 35 to leave the visitors requiring just 75 for victory.

Hollinwood chased down 234 in a match reduced to 38 overs per side from 45 at Heyside.

Namibian paid man Gerrie Snyman smashed 124 not out – his innings featured 12 sixes and six fours – to lift the Little Hey Street lads to an impressive 233 for eight. He rather spoilt Arslan Dhar's figures of four for 65 by taking more than 30 runs off his last three overs.

Hollinwood were not fazed and ran out comfortable winners –they reached their target with 14 balls to spare – thanks to the efforts of Aamir Afzal (52), Shazad Butt (43) and Mudassar Butt (41 not out).

Stayley, a point ahead of Hollinwood in fifth, had to settle for a frustrating draw against Glodwick at Millbrook.

Craig Smith made 54 out of the hosts' total of 155. Pro Rehan Rafiq collected five for 29.

Glodwick were hanging on at 106 for nine – paid man Kamran Hussain took six for 42 – when time ran out.

Meanwhile, the matches at Droylsden and Friarmere were abandoned without a ball bowled.