Skuse proves hard to shift

IMRAN Asghar bends his back for Glodwick at Leefields

CRICKET:

Neither Friarmere nor Micklehurst were able to dislodge Peter Skuse in the Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League at the weekend.

The Australian professional was in top form for Saddleworth in a rain-affected weekend.

Skuse carried his bat both days, scoring 41 in the five-wicket success over Friarmere and following-up with 58 in the nine-wicket Weathertime defeat of Micklehurst at Well-i-Hole.

He also took four for 31 in one of only three matches which produced a positive result yesterday.

The other two fixtures, again using the Weathertime system, yielded wins for Glodwick against Shaw — Imran Asghar claimed six for 37 for the former — and Heyside, who achieved the revised target of 102 in 22 overs at home to Friarmere. John Selby weighed in with 50 for the hosts.

While none of the first innings were completed in three of the four rain-hit games, Droylsden (16 without loss) were on course for a crushing victory at Stayley (68 all out) until the heavens opened.

Glodwick’s victory over Shaw completed a good weekend for Nigel Stock’s men.

On Saturday, opener Shahid Mahmood smashed 95 from just 36 balls in the five-wicket defeat of last season’s runners-up Uppermill at Leefields.

Pro Rehan Rafiq, who only arrived from Pakistan the previous evening, carried his bat for 70 in chasing down the home side’s 208 for five.

Bamford Fieldhouse new boys Babar Khan, with six for 54, and Josh Tolley (59) were to the fore in a four-wicket victory at home to Heyside, for whom Danny Cashin took five for 56.

Kashif Khan struck 71 in Hollinwood’s 123-run defeat of Stayley, South African pro Stephan Grobler struck 57 not out and bagged five for 43 as Moorside beat Shaw by nine wickets, Pakistani paid man Imran Aslam picked up six for 31 on debut for Austerlands in an eight-wicket defeat of Droylsden and Michael Bird took five for 66 for Greenfield in a comfortable 61-run win over Micklehurst.





THERE were mixed emotions for Delph at the weekend in their two Drakes Huddersfield League clashes.



On Saturday they hosted Marsden and won by four wickets in a rain-affected clash.

At Elland yesterday, both sides got in 50 overs, with the hosts batting first and clocking up 146 for eight.

In reply Delph recovered from six for four to reach 111 for eight, losing by 35 runs. Graeme Simpson hit 68 not out as Delph secured a valuable point.



WOODHOUSES got their Lees Brewery Lancashire County League campaign off to a flying start with an 87-run victory at Cheetham Hill.