Bamford in a rush to close gap on Uppermill

CRICKET:

A SOLITARY point separates Uppermill and Bamford Fieldhouse at the top of the Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

All bar one fixture in Division One saw a new target set courtesy of the ‘Weathertime’ system after rain forced players and umpires scurrying for cover.

The match which dodged the showers took place at Bamford, where the hosts beat lowly Micklehurst by 10 wickets.

Martin Smith, with figures of seven for 20, sent the visitors spiralling to 49 all out, before professional Grant Hodnett struck an unbeaten 41 to clinch a straightforward success. The match was over at 3.30pm.

Uppermill held on to their lead, albeit by the slenderest of margins, after picking up seven bonus points in a three-wicket defeat at Heyside.

Darren Shadford (49) and Paul Thompson (48) finished just short of half-centuries as the lads from Leefields were dismissed for 180. Stuart Moore claimed four for 24.

A weather-related stoppage meant Heyside required 117 from 24 overs. And they got the job done to move up to fifth place, but not before Mark Lees had caused a scare by notching seven for 30.

Saddleworth are in third after a six-wicket win at home to Stayley.

Paid man Kamran Hussain, with 85, and 82 from overseas amateur Usman Malvi lifted the Millbrook side to 251 for six.

However, an interruption for rain left Saddleworth needing 113 from 22 overs, and it was Lou Adair (53 not out) who saw them cross the winning line.

South African Francois Mostert, Moorside’s overseas amateur, collected seven for 96 to help restrict Hollinwood to 162 at Turf Pit Lane.

Danny Anchor, with 41 not out, guided the hosts to a seven-wicket success and fourth position after they were left requiring 114 to win in 27 overs.

Greenfield slipped to a 19-run defeat at home to Tanner Cup finalists Glodwick.

Greenfield, requiring 134 from 23 overs, managed 115.

In the battle of the Young brothers, Adam and Andy who captain Austerlands and Shaw respectively, it was the latter who came out on top at Nursery Fields.

Jack Stanton, with 62, was the mainstay of the hosts’ score of 162 for nine.

However, set a revised target of 117 from 28 overs, Shaw won for the loss of four wickets.

Droylsden attained the 114 runs from 27 overs they needed after ‘Weathertime’ calculations against Friarmere who, thanks to 61 from Andy Walker, had posted 162 for nine.










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