Rain ruins cricket programme

RAIN won the day in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League first XI programme on Saturday – but two second-team fixtures were completed.

Heyside had started to chase down Greenfield’s 175 for seven at Ladhill Lane – skipper Alex Peters made 51 – and were 34 without loss when the elements ended play.

It was an identical story elsewhere in Division One. Glodwick, second, managed four bowling points after they restricted hosts Saddleworth to 199 for nine.

The home side were indebted to Australian professional Peter Skuse, who struck 82, while Bilal Malik bagged five for 26.

Glodwick were unable to start their reply but nibbled into Bamford Fieldhouse’s lead, now 16 points.

The high-fliers had reached 36 for no wicket against Droylsden when rain fell.

Uppermill were five for one after they also obtained four bowling points at Micklehurst, who were

limited to 159 for nine.

Michael Lockett’s spell of four for 16 helped reduce Shaw to 105 for nine at Holebottom Clough, but Austerlands never got the chance to press home their advantage.

Friarmere had Hollinwood in trouble at 44 for five at Slack Lane when the rain clouds closed in, while Stayley were 86 for two at Moorside when the umpires took the players off the field.

Two games did beat the weather in the Second Division, where leaders Uppermill strengthened their grip on the title with a seven-wicket win at home to Micklehurst.

And Jack Avery scored an unbeaten 81 as Heyside thumped Greenfield by nine wickets at Little Hey Street.