Thompson’s on the march

MAN IN FORM . . . Paul Thompson.

CRICKET:

PAUL Thompson likes to lead from the front.

The 40 year old has become a vital part of the Uppermill first XI picture after swapping the Pollards for Leefields in 2012.

On Sunday he faces his biggest game yet in the Saddleworth League — a Tanner Cup final against Moorside at Turf Pit Lane (1pm).

But Thompson is relishing the prospect: he’s in top form, having scored more than 500 runs so far this season. He will be hoping to get Uppermill off to the best possible start alongside fellow opener Andy McVeigh.

Thompson said: “I’m doing better than last year — I even dropped down to the seconds for a match to try to find some runs.

“I arrived from Oldham as an opening batsman, but I couldn’t do that here at the start, but now I’m back in my preferred position and I’m doing all right. I approach the game differently when I’m opening. I’m there to take the shine off the ball, to stick around and lay a foundation for the bigger hitters.”

Thompson has bucket-loads of experience in local league cricket and is sure to need all his skills against one of the leading teams in the league.

Said Thompson. “I’m looking forward to it, but at the same time it’s important to treat it as a normal game. Moorside are a very good team. We have played them at their spot and did well to beat them.”

He reckons his teammates have got what it takes to win Uppermill its first Tanner Cup since 1982.