Hardman heroics are in vain

CRICKET:

NICK Hardman’s six-wicket haul couldn’t prevent Woodhouses from slipping to defeat in the Lees Brewery Lancashire County League yesterday.

Home side Stretford took first knock and reached 210 all out from their allotted overs as Hardman returned super figures of six for 66.

In reply the visitors fell 41 runs short of their target, resulting in a drop to eighth place in the league table.

Woodhouses were probably saved by the rain on Saturday. Replying to visitors Denton West’s total of 173, the Medlock Road outfit were reeling on 43 for four when the weather intervened and play was abandoned for the day. Both sides claimed two points each.

IT was a similar story at Shepley in the Drakes Huddersfield League as Delph were staring down the barrel before the showers curtailed proceedings.

Batting first, league leaders Shepley had racked up 231 for two from 40 overs when rain stopped play with Dan Wood on 109 not out.

Delph’s very slim chances of going on to win the title are now effectively over.