Brutal Hodnett hits second double-ton

CLOSE SHAVE . . . Shaw batsman Joe Whitehead survives a run out attempt by Heyside ’keeper James Cummins.

CRICKET: RUNS are coming thick and fast for Grant Hodnett in the Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The professional smashed his second double-century in only half-a-dozen innings as Bamford Fieldhouse swept aside Hollinwood at Hollin Lane.

Opener Hodnett took his tally beyond 500 runs for the season — 557 to be exact — after walloping an unbeaten 207 from 146 balls in his side’s total of 289 for four.

Hollinwood were dismantled for 102 in reply, with Simon Wright taking five for 43.

After beating Glodwick in the Tanner Cup six days earlier, second-placed Austerlands followed up in an amazing match at Moorside.

Adam Young’s men were 27 for seven at one stage, before Mark Peters (49), Michael Lockett (34 not out) and Andrew Cadd (33 not out) showed great tenacity in lifting their side to a respectable 151 for nine.

Austerlands then kept their nerve with the ball as, despite 53 from Danny Anchor, they clinched victory by 24 runs.

The Whit double-header between Greenfield and Saddleworth ended honours even.

On Friday at Ladhill Lane and in a game reduced to 25 overs per side because of rain, Steven Howard made a vital 60 in the visitors’ score of 158 for nine.

Adam Hayes went one run better, recording 61 not out as Greenfield won by five wickets.

Saddleworth, thanks to a hat-trick from Ryan McGrath in figures of four for 26 and an unbeaten 71 from Lou Adair, made it 1-1 a day later at Well-i-Hole courtesy of a six-wicket win.

There was relief in the Uppermill and Stayley camps after they both got off the mark in the league.

Paul Thompson, with 71 and four for 24, had a profitable afternoon with bat and ball for Uppermill, who beat Friarmere by 116 runs at Slack Lane.

Stayley ended a seven-game winless run in league and cup by overcoming Micklehurst at Castle Lane.

The hosts were also in need of a first success of the season, and probably thought they had a decent chance after compiling 227.

But Craig Smith and Mudassar Butt, with 61 not out and 57 respectively, had other ideas and sealed a five-wicket victory.

Leaders Heyside were too good for neighbours Shaw at Holebottom Clough.

Danny Cashin’s haul of four 28 helped restrict the home side to 152 for nine.

Richard Doherty also claimed four wickets for Shaw, but Steven Firth’s 49 not out wrapped up a four-wicket triumph.

David Lees (52) and Saif Ur Rehman (49) deserved a big pat on the back as Droylsden condemned Glodwick to a five-wicket defeat at Oakfield.

Requiring 138, the hosts were in all sorts of trouble at 30 for five, but the aforementioned pair dug in to see their side home in an unbroken stand of 110.

Ur Rehman had an afternoon he will not forget in a while after earlier claiming six for 31.