Stayley on the charge

UP THE ORDER: Stayley wicketkeeper Craig Smith has a new batting role.

CRICKET: SADDLEWORTH threw open their doors to welcome Greenfield to Well-i-Hole today. Greenfield will reciprocate when Saddleworth visit Ladhill Lane tomorrow.

As local sporting traditions go, this one continues to stand the rigours of time as Whit double-headers take centre stage in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League this weekend.

For the likes of Austerlands v Moorside, Heyside v Shaw and the aforementioned Saddleworth v Greenfield, success is that little bit sweeter in these special matches - and defeat a little bit harder.

With bottom club Micklehurst lying in wait, Stayley will see this weekend as a big opportunity to make up ground on the three teams above them.

Skipper Ronnie Cameron said: “After playing well to beat Heyside and then Uppermill — two top teams — we are quietly confident. We had previously lost to Glodwick, but that was a game we felt we should have won.

“We changed the batting order and put Craig Smith alongside JP Lee at the top of the order, with Mudassar Butt in at three. “That has made a difference; we’re more positive.”