Crunch-time at Leefields

Uppermill CC veteran's Cec Wright and Jim Bradbury

Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League by KEVIN RICHARDSON

WHILE the destination of the Division One title may not be decided until Saturday week, there will be a definite winner in the race for Division Two honours this weekend.
It is a two-horse contest between leaders Uppermill and nearest rivals Saddleworth and, in a twist of fate, both go head-to-head on Saturday with the former enjoying home advantage.

Victory for the pace-setters would clinch the crown and give a gloss finish to a terrific end-of-season for the Leefields club after the first team’s triumph in the Tanner Cup final.

But should Jason Fish’s Saddleworth side prevail, then the outcome will go right down to the wire in the final round of matches on Sunday.

Saddleworth, who are looking to complete the double after beating Friarmere in the Moore Cup final last month, wrap-up their season at home to Hollinwood. Uppermill, the reigning champions, go to Heyside.

Saturday’s meeting features a mixture of young and old.

For Uppermill, Cec Wright continues to cause batsmen problems at the age of 79, while team-mate Jim Bradbury (66) scored his first century for a decade against Hollinwood in July.

At the opposite end of the age scale, James Howard (14) has been in good form for Saddleworth.

A Lancashire CC junior, he made 112 not out for the Well-i-Hole club’s second string this season and also featured for the firsts.