Teenage ace slams door on league side

Gareth Dent of Droylsden hits a boundary on his way to 90.

CRICKET:

A PLACE in the semi-finals of the Readers Inter-League Competition was firmly shut on the Saddleworth and District Cricket League by a player scarcely old enough to buy alcohol.

Joe McCann inspired the Bolton League to a four-wicket triumph at Well-i-Hole.

In reply to the Saddleworth League's 243 for nine, the Kearsley batsman joined Tom Liversedge at the crease mid-way through the 36th over with the score on 158 for six.

By the start of the 45th and final over, the home side were facing defeat, and it was fitting that young McCann, who finished unbeaten on 64 from only 34 balls, should whack the winning runs.

It was a deflating end for Alex Peters' men who, apart from a mid-innings failure, did most things right.

One could argue 243 for nine was 30 runs shy on a good track, but I am sure they would have settled for that score after they were reduced to 21 for two.

The Bolton League got off to a flyer, with Bradshaw duo Anthony Harris and Mike Hudson adding 56 in eight overs.

Asghar made the breakthrough, trapping Harris (33) leg before, and when Hudson (19) was bowled by a flighted delivery from Peters 15 runs later, the Saddleworth League were in the hunt.

The stand-out bowler for the hosts, for whom Friarmere's Adnan Farooq was a late withdrawal because of injury, was Cashin, with two for 17.

Leaning on his bat at the non-striker's end, Liversedge (44 not out) was still there at the death as McCann clinched victory with his ninth four.