Flying the flag

CRICKET:

AND then there was one. Of the five Saddleworth and District League teams that had ambitions of LCB Cup glory, only Bamford Fieldhouse remain.

Uppermill and Moorside were the latest to fall, but the Hollin Lane outfit swept Farnworth Social Circle aside by 10 wickets.

Holders Bamford had three stand-out performers in the second-round success against the Bolton League club.

The hosts were going nicely at 153 for four when JP Lee was thrown the ball. He decimated the opposition by taking the last six wickets for 11 runs in 4.2 overs, leaving Bamford to reach 198.

Grant Hodnett and Josh Tolley played Bamford to an emphatic victory, Hodnett striking 112 from 113 balls, including eight fours and half a dozen sixes, with Tolley adding 78 from 95 balls, eight of them fours, two of them sixes.

The openers also made hay 24 hours earlier in the league match at home to Friarmere.

They were again unbeaten, with Hodnett on 75 and Tolley 55 as Bamford reached their 133 target by the 16th over, making a combined weekend total of 331 without the loss of a single wicket.

While Bamford go to Wythenshawe, of the Manchester Association, in round three of the LCB Cup, Uppermill and Moorside saw their hopes of progress evaporate in a tough fight against Barrow.

Moorside made 222 for seven in 45 overs. Barrow reached their target in the 30th over with all 10 wickets remaining — Sam Dutton having hit 107 and Jonathan Wells 94.

Uppermill bowed out at Northern, of the Liverpool Competition. Steve Lucas hit 100 for the hosts in a total of 244 for eight. Uppermill were dismissed for 197 in the 43rd over.