Glodwick extend advantage

CRICKET: 

WHILE club-mate Shahid Mahmood was making a triumphant return for Glodwick’s second XI at Holebottom Clough, the first team was extending its lead at the top of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League to eight points.

The all-rounder had his appendix removed at the end of April, but showed no ill-effects in his first game back, scoring an excellent 70 in the 84-run success against Shaw.

Glodwick’s firsts were just as emphatic victors at Warren Lane. Franco Lenhardt hit 57 in his side’s total of 218 for seven. Their third-bottom opponents were skittled for just 66.

Moorside remain in second place after a three-wicket defeat of Greenfield, with Rick Harrington making an immediate impact. The new signing from Shaw first claimed four for 68 in the hosts’ innings of 214 for six. It was Francis Sutherland who saw Moorside home, though, with an unbeaten 70.

Heyside slipped from third to fifth after a 50-run loss at Stayley. Scott Bloor’s haul of four for 40 had seemingly put the visitors on course for victory but, requiring 139, they crashed to 88 all out.

Uppermill were in a hurry against Droylsden at Leefields. Needing exactly 100 to win thanks to Matt Taylor’s efforts with the ball – he took seven for 56 – openers Andy McVeigh (60) and Michael Brooks (30) steered their side past the winning post in only the 12th over. Uppermill are now third, five points ahead of Stayley.

Tom Avery claimed four wickets in four balls as Saddleworth beat Friarmere by 127 runs at Well-i-Hole.

He finished with figures of six for 20 as the visitors succumbed to 65 all out. Skipper Brian Lord had earlier made 50 in Saddleworth’s total of 192 for eight.

Austerlands brushed aside South West Manchester by 41 runs at Thorpe Lane. Mohammed Irfan, with five for 28, was the home team’s chief destroyer, while Khalid Mahmood’s fine 74 proved worthless in a reply of 116.

Wythenshawe professional Tyler Lortan smashed five sixes in an over on his way to a superb 123 against Micklehurst.

The South African’s outstanding knock saw his side to 204 for nine.

Finally, opener Zarrar Malik, with 65, Abisheik Kulkarni’s 59 and 44 from Ejaz Din helped Whalley Range to 226 for six against Hollinwood, who succumbed to 151 at the bat.