Tonic for basement boys

CRICKET:

PRIDE of place in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League on Saturday went to Micklehurst — but Shaw weren’t far behind.

Without a win in eight previous attempts in the league, the Castle Lane club appeared to have a tough task on their hands after hosts Uppermill put 194 on the board.

But the basement boys dug in and got their noses over the line with three wickets to spare.

The top performers in a deserved victory for Micklehurst were Nicky Lawrence – he claimed six for 32 – and Michael Blomeley, who held the reply together with 48.

Second-bottom Shaw pulled off a terrific 38-run win against Austerlands, who started the game in second place.

The visitors to Nursery Fields had it all to do after crashing to 100 all out. Professional Imran Aslam took his wickets tally for the season to 33 after collecting five for 28.

Austerlands put on just under 30 in next to no time, but then folded to 62 all out. Richard Doherty was the chief destroyer with six for 31.

It was a good afternoon for the bottom three as Friarmere also won.

There was no repeat of the batting debacle at Uppermill six days earlier when they were bowled out for a meagre 82.

Set 183 for victory at Hollinwood, Abid Hussain’s side reached their target for the loss of eight wickets in the final over. Bobby Khan made 49.

At the opposite end of the table, pace-setting Heyside continued on their merry way courtesy of a 114-run success at home to Greenfield.

Heyside made 298 for nine at Little Hey Street, before pro Chris Gill (55) and Michael Bird (44) spearheaded Greenfield’s reply of 184. Scott Bloor was among wickets again, this time bagging four for 47.

Mark Whitehead recorded the best bowling figures of the day – seven for 33 – as Glodwick reduced Saddleworth to 59 all out.

The hosts were 13 for four at one stage when it was their turn to bat, but fifth-wicket pair Imran Asghar and Mark Parkinson held firm to see their side home.

Captain Lloyd Kingston (63), overseas amateur Francois Mostert (62) and pro Stephan Grobler (57) compiled significant contributions in Moorside’s 280 for eight at Stayley, who managed 212 for eight in reply.

Meanwhile, a score of 112 was never going to be enough to deny Bamford Fieldhouse, who overcame Droylsden by seven wickets at Oakfield.