’Mill switching back into gear

FRUSTRATION: Uppermill bowler Mark Lees deserves a change of luck.

CRICKET:

THINGS are gradually falling into place for Uppermill.

Though successful in the first rounds of the Tanner and LCB Cups, up until last weekend points had proved hard to come by for Matt Taylor’s side, who finished runners-up in 2012.

Without a win in their opening six league games, two then came at once after completing a Whit derby double over Friarmere.

Uppermill go in search of a third straight success at home to Micklehurst tomorrow. They go to Moorside’s Turf Pit Lane ground 24 hours later.

And with wicketkeeper Alex Griffiths and all-rounder Pete Roberts available, Uppermill look in decent shape.

Opening bowler Mark Lees will be hoping to get among the wickets. The seamer beat the bat on at least a dozen occasions during his eight overs last Sunday afternoon, but his only reward was a solitary wicket.

“Mark bowled with no luck at all,” said Uppermill chairman and scorer Paul Seddon. “He has found this knack of somehow missing the off-stump and I forgot the amount of times he did it against Friarmere. He deserved more than he got.”

Leaders Heyside welcome Greenfield tomorrow and visit Saddleworth on Sunday.

Austerlands, in second place, also face up to Greenfield, after entertaining Shaw.

Bamford Fieldhouse batsman Grant Hodnett, already well on his way t 1,000 runs, will look to get some more under his belt when the champions go to Droylsden tomorrow.