Their cup runneth over...

BEN HOLT: frustrated by inflexible league rules

CRICKET: HEYSIDE captain Ben Holt has called on the Saddleworth and District Cricket League to be more flexible in accommodating rearranged fixtures.

Circumstances meant the Little Hey Street club was expected to field three teams last Sunday: the firsts and seconds in the Tanner and Moore Cups, while a scratch XI fulfilled a Lancashire Cricket Board Cup tie.

Heyside’s busy day was caused by the weather: there was no play against Wythenshawe in the LCB Cup on May 12 so the game was switched to May 19 at the organiser’s request. This clashed with the reserve day for the Tanner and Moore Cups.

Because it rained last Saturday and no play took place, Heyside was left searching for players to fill three teams. The firsts and seconds won, but the club’s scratch team was heavily defeated.

Holt said: “A lot of the lads are disappointed and so is the club. A home draw in the LCB Cup brings in vital revenue, but that chance has been taken away from us. And how does it reflect on the league when one of its sides is bowled out for 47?”

Heyside asked the two umpires if they could start the Tanner Cup tie on Monday evening, which would have meant its continuation each evening until there was a result. The request was refused under league rules.

“If we had bowled just one ball on Saturday we could have come back on Monday and carried on. But the rules meant because there was no play at all, we had to play on Sunday. How ridiculous is that?

“We are not asking for favouritism, but it would help if the league was a bit more flexible.”

Holt says he may propose a rule change for next year to avoid similar complications.