Top two gear up for a battle royal

MAN IN FORM . . . Grant Hodnett

CRICKET: IT could be all change at the top of the Saddleworth League by tomorrow evening as leaders Heyside take on Bamford Fieldhouse.

The faithful will be out in force for this top-two clash. After a surprise defeat at Droylsden last weekend, Heyside’s advantage is just one point. On the same afternoon Bamford thumped Saddleworth by 190 runs, giving the momentum to Paddy McKeown’s reigning champions — for whom pro Grant Hodnett is currently at the top of his game, in touching distance of his thousandth run of the season. He smashed 196 against Saddleworth – and he would like nothing more than to reach his milestone on the back of another big score.

Heyside can take comfort that they beat Bamford in the Tanner Cup last season - and gave them a run for their money in the reverse league fixture in April.

But without skipper Ben Holt – banned by his club after an altercation with an umpire – as well as all-rounder Nick Campbell and wicketkeeper Jimmy Cummins, they appear to have it all to do. Mark Barnes will captain the side.

Glodwick are in third place, but won’t have it easy at home to Uppermill. Buoyed by a comprehensive win over Greenfield in the Tanner Cup semis, Matt Taylor’s men will be keen to enhance their league position. Glodwick’s recent record has been a consistent win-lose-win-lose; a pattern the team will be keen to break.

Following a miserable weekend, fourth-team Greenfield will be desperate to hit back. A terrific run of six wins came to a halt when they lost to Friarmere in the league and Uppermill in the Tanner Cup.

A home match against bottom club Micklehurst offers them a chance to return to winning ways.

One place below them is Austerlands, whose team has turned things around after losing half-a-dozen matches in a row. Their task tomorrow is a home match against Droylsden.