Skipper Young leads way for Austerlands

GLODWICK’S Imran Asghar digs out a delivery.

CRICKET:

Without a win since May 25, Austerlands got back on track at the expense of third-placed Glodwick in the Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

Imran Aslam did the damage with the ball against his former employers, claiming four for 40 in restricting the home side to 143, out of which Anees Ur Rehman finished two runs short of a half-century.

Skipper Adam Young led the way in reply and in doing so continued his excellent recent form, which included a first century in senior cricket.

He made an unbeaten 48 in guiding his side to a six-wicket triumph — a carbon copy of the result when the teams met in the first round of the Tanner Cup earlier this season.

At the top of the table, Heyside extended their advantage over Bamford Fieldhouse by a point after they defeated Stayley at Millbrook.

Nick Campbell hit 64 in the pacesetters’ all out total of 249. The hosts put up a decent fight in reply before they eventually succumbed to 198.

After three games in league and cup without losing a wicket, Bamford’s middle order finally got a chance to bat as they overcame Moorside at Hollin Lane.

Nick Brierley, who has missed part of the season because of a hand injury, compiled 51 and Josh Tolley struck 43 in chasing down the visitors’ target 144.

Moorside picked up three bowling points but these were not enough to prevent them from dropping out of the top five.

Uppermill are heading in the right direction. Matt Taylor’s side claimed a notable scalp on Saturday in fourth-placed Saddleworth, who were aiming for a fourth league win on the trot.

Dropped before he had got off the mark, Uppermill pro Darren Shadford made best use of his good fortune by posting his highest score of the season so far, 76.

Ricky Harrison’s 41 was in vain as Micklehurst were beaten by 44 runs at Friarmere, who had earlier reached 186.

An unbeaten 53 from David Lees and Richard Mooney’s 68 helped Droylsden to a two-wicket success against Shaw at Oakfield.



BAMFORD Fieldhouse exited the ECB Cup at the regional group final stage after they suffered a six-wicket loss at Chorley.

Taking first knock in tricky conditions, the Saddleworth League side were dismissed for 120, which included 51 from Grant Hodnett.

The hosts, from the Northern League, reached their target with 4.1 overs to spare. Martin Smith claimed two for nine from his nine overs, while Babar Khan’s nine overs cost nine runs.