Clubs rally round to help victims

CRICKET: HEYSIDE Cricket Club are expecting a big crowd for tomorrow’s Twenty20 Cup match at home to Austerlands.

The Little Hey Street outfit are using the second-round tie to raise funds for the victims of last week’s Shaw explosion.

Tony Heaton, cousin of Jamie’s dad Kenny Heaton, is a long-serving player at Heyside.

An auction takes place after the game and includes donations from Oldham Athletic, Manchester City, Manchester United and Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Players, officials and spectators will observe a minute’s silence before the match gets under way at 6.30pm.

Of the other second-round ties, holders Saddleworth play host to Hollinwood.

The latter, with several big-hitters in their line-up, look well equipped to strike a blow in the competition sponsored by Per-Fit Windows.

Friarmere, already through to the last four of the Tanner Cup, have home advantage against Stayley, while Alex Griffiths takes his Uppermill side up to Moorside.


Meanwhile, Hollinwood considered pulling out of this season’s Twenty20 Cup because of player availability.

Eddie Hardaker, the club’s secretary, questioned the logic behind staging the first two rounds on Friday nights.

He argued that many of his players, due to work commitments, struggled to get to games, and thought weekend dates would suit better.

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