Glodwick go clear as rivals slip-up

CRICKET: 

DEFEATS for title rivals Moorside and Stayley played right into the hands of Glodwick in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The lads from Warren Lane stretched 20 points clear after a Whit derby win double over Hollinwood, while two of their nearest challengers suffered shock upsets yesterday.

The warning signs were flashing for Moorside 24 hours’ earlier against Austerlands, but they failed to heed them at Turf Pit Lane.

Batting first, Danny Anchor’s men crashed to 92 all out — their lowest score of the season so far. Overseas amateur Cameron Roxby claimed five for 29.

So close to victory on Saturday, Austerlands made no mistake on this occasion, reaching their target for the loss of four wickets.

After eight losses and three draws, it was a case of 13th time lucky for bottom club Micklehurst, who chased down Stayley’s score of 202 for eight at Castle Lane.

Skipper Michael Blomeley spearheaded the hosts’ reply with a superb 70. Craig Lawrence was unbeaten on 57.

Mudassar Butt and Craig Smith, with 61 and 59 respectively, were Stayley’s main run-gatherers. Micklehurst professional Peter Skuse picked up four for 44.

Nigel Stock’s Glodwick continued on their merry way by sweeping aside Hollinwood at Lime Lane.

Rehan Rafiq again demonstrated why he is best all-round paid man in the league with five for 31 and an unbeaten 52.

Glodwick past the post — Hollinwood had made 163 for nine — with 10 overs and six wickets to spare.

Uppermill are up to second in the table after a 34-run defeat of Friarmere.

It was a war of attrition on a tricky Slack Lane strip and slow outfield, with Paul Thompson’s dogged 49 coming from 124 balls in the visitors’ total of 152 for seven.

Friarmere were restricted to 118 for seven in reply. That man Thompson bowled 15 overs straight through and took two for 25.

Droylsden registered their first league victory since May 4 when they beat Whalley Range by 39 runs at Oakfield.

Stand-out performers for the home side were Saif Ur Rehman (four for 20), Mohammed Shakir (four for 51), Matt Halliday — the wicketkeeper held half-a-dozen catches — and Michael Schofield, who hit 63 out of 195 for eight.

Meanwhile, Ali Khan struck 70 not out as South West Manchester overcame Wythenshawe by five wickets.