Lime Lane thriller ends in a tie

BIG HIT: Shaw’s Lachlan Mason smashes a boundary during Saturday’s match against Austerlands.

CRICKET: 

HOLLINWOOD and Greenfield could not be separated in a Saddleworth and District Cricket League thriller at Lime Lane on Saturday.

It looked over for the visitors when they were reduced to 80 for seven in reply to 167 for three.

But Greenfield managed to level the scores for the loss of one more wicket with three balls remaining.

They were on the verge of a remarkable victory, but then Hollinwood struck, removing Peter Gill, while the fifth delivery was a dot ball.

Down to the wire, Jon Mayor attempted to scamper a single off the final delivery of the innings, only to be run out. The result was a tie.

Bilal Hassan earlier made an unbeaten 77 for Hollinwood and Amir Afzal 54.

Leaders at the start of the day, Droylsden, slipped to their second defeat of 2014 at home to Moorside.

Dismissed for 139, the Oakfield outfit succumbed by five wickets. Overseas amateur Francois Mostert struck 48 in the successful run chase.

Mel Whittle made a match-winning debut for Friarmere in an emphatic 10-wicket win at South West Manchester. It appears the former Oldham star has lost none of his powers as he weighed in with figures of five for 38.

Friarmere eased over the line, with Imran Khan reaching his half-century, 51, in achieving the victory target of 93.

Cricket watchers at Little Hey Street witnessed almost 550 runs as Heyside repelled Whalley Range's gutsy challenge.

In the hosts’ total of 305 for six, captain Ryan Barnes carried on where he left in the Tanner Cup in midweek with a fine 93, and he was supported by John Selby's 72 and 67 from professional Shadley van Schalkwyk.

Ejaz Din spearheaded the response with a superb 134 – his first century in the league – and Paul Davies compiled 51 as Whalley Range completed their 45 overs on 243 for six.

Paid man Kamran Hussain, with 58, and 42 from JP Lee helped Stayley to a five-wicket defeat of Wythenshawe, who posted 218 for nine at Millbrook.

Overseas amateur Oral Rankine claimed five victims for the home side, while Lewis Crowther hit 69.

Half-centuries from skipper Dave Roberts (76), Andy McVeigh (64) and James Baron (59) guided Uppermill to 290 for nine at Micklehurst, who crashed to 135 all out in reply.

Cameron Roxby, Austerlands’ overseas amateur, had a good day with the ball at Shaw.

He claimed five for 67 as the Holebottom Clough side were dismissed for 120. Rick Harrington was unbeaten on 55.

Adam Young’s Austerlands reached their goal with four wickets down.