Hat-trick hero Dave has fun in the sun

CRICKET: A FIRST career hat-trick for Dave Roberts lifted a mundane afternoon at Uppermill yesterday.


Soaking up the sunshine, the crowd saw Friarmere start to rebuild their innings after they were reduced to 10 for three in this Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League clash.

The visitors were 53 for four, in reply to Uppermill’s 144 all out, when Roberts arrived on the scene.

Replacing Mark Lees from the clubhouse end — Lees deserved better than his solitary wicket — the all-rounder got rid of top scorer Sohail Mahmood (24) in his first over.

Bobby Khan then departed for one to an acrobatic catch by Roberts off his own bowling.

With the opening delivery of his third over, he bowled overseas amateur Adnan Farooq for five. Friarmere were all of a sudden 59 for seven.

That quickly became 59 for eight when Andy Walker was trapped leg before first ball.

With the hat-trick on, skipper Matt Taylor brought in the fielders. They were not required as Abid Hussain’s stumps were knocked back by a full-length delivery. Cue celebrations.

Wait, there were still three balls left of his third over. Could Roberts finish off Friarmere?

Last-man Khalif Rehman held firm.

Victory by 62 runs was clinched moments later via a run-out. It left the chief destroyer, who was emulating Ryan McGrath’s effort for Saddleworth 24 hours earlier, with figures of five for nine from four overs, three of which were maidens.

It was also a first five-wicket haul for Roberts, who made just five with the bat.

Uppermill were grateful to the lower order, plus a healthy sprinkling of extras (37), after they themselves stumbled to 32 for four.

James Baron, with 31, Mark Berry (21) and Martin Salmon (17) hauled their side to a reasonable total despite the best efforts of Farooq (four for 46) and Imran Khan (three for 29).

Uppermill were one of four clubs to complete back-to-back wins in the Whit weekend double-headers.

Leaders Heyside, with Scott Bloor recording seven for 37 and Nick Campbell finishing unbeaten on 67, beat Shaw by 129 runs.

Bamford Fieldhouse were made to work a lot harder by Hollinwood than they were on Saturday.

Kashif Khan’s 75 helped the hosts to 171, with Paddy McKeown’s side losing six wickets before reaching their target. Hashim Malik (51) and Simon Wright (48) were among the runs.

Professional Grant Hodnett, after his double-ton exploits on Saturday, dropped to number five in the order, presumably to give others a chance of a bat.

Stayley, featuring a fine 102 from Mudassar Butt, also sealed consecutive wins after
overcoming Micklehurst by five wickets. Nicky Lawrence scored 54 for the visitors.

Overseas amateur Francois Mostert struck a ton, a superb 124, as Moorside avenged Saturday’s defeat by second-placed Austerlands who, after succumbing by 135 runs, now trail Heyside by 28 points at the top of the table.

And despite taking his wickets tally across the two days to 12, Droylsden’s Saif Ur Rehman ended up on the losing side against Glodwick, who did well to defend 153.