Uppermill duo in command

CRICKET: THE loss of Andy McVeigh off the second ball of the innings didn’t stop Uppermill cruising to an eight-wicket victory over an under-strength Hollinwood side at Lime Lane.

Mohammed Usman found a way through the opener's defences, but that was about as good as it got for the hosts in their attempt to avoid a third straight defeat in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

Paul Thompson, a steadying influence at the top of the order, and number four Dave Roberts accumulated runs at will as the Tanner Cup finalists reached their goal of 153 in the 29th over.

The pair finished unbeaten on 56 and 51 respectively, in a comfortable afternoon's work for the lads from Leefields.

Hollinwood, without skipper Shakeel Saddique, had got off to a solid start. Mohammed Shazad must have thought he had read the team sheet upside down after he was handed the task of opening the inning alongside Fakar Zaman.

But the seam bowler, who is accustomed to coming in at 10 or 11, showed he can hold a bat as he and his partner added 48 for the first wicket.

Shazad scored 32 in nearly as many balls and Zaman 22 before Andrew Jones removed both of them.

Hollinwood then slumped to 59 for four on a track with good bounce and a quick outfield.

Kashif Khan was the only other Hollinwood batsman to get to grips with the bowling – he made 49 – as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.

James Baron, who had Mohammed Khan caught in the covers by Roberts with his first delivery, ended with three for 31 from nine overs, while professional Darren Shadford, Mark Lees and Jones bagged two wickets apiece.

Despite McVeigh and Nathan Boote falling, Uppermill had plenty in the tank to see them home.