Cup rivals seek edge

Heyside professional Shadley van Schalkwyk bowling

SADDLEWORTH LEAGUE PREVIEW
A DRESS rehearsal of this season’s Tanner Cup final takes place tomorrow.

Heyside and Moorside go head to head, three weeks before the two ‘sides’ meet in the final at Turf Pit Lane.

Both look to be chasing a lost cause in terms of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League title as Glodwick have a big lead at the top of the table.

The duel between Heyside professional Shadley van Schalkwyk — he is the fastest bowler in the league — and his Moorside counterpart, top batsman Grant Hodnett, should be one to savour.

Leaders Glodwick, beaten only once in the league this season, are at home to Greenfield.

Nearest challengers Saddleworth go to Hollinwood, with visiting pro Imran Aslam approaching 1,000 runs for the season.

The likeable Pakistani has already surpassed last year’s total of 792 which he made as Austerlands’ paid man.

Next-best Uppermill make the trip to Wythenshawe — both teams go into the game on the back of victories — while sixth-placed Whalley Range are on a recovery mission after defeat at Leefields last weekend.

Fixtures —

Tomorrow, league: Glodwick v Greenfield; Heyside v Moorside; Hollinwood v Saddleworth; Micklehurst v South West Manchester; Shaw v Droylsden; Stayley v Friarmere; Whalley Range v Austerlands; Wythenshawe v Uppermill.

Sunday, Lancashire Inter-League Colts: Saddleworth League v Liverpool Competition (at Whalley Range, 2pm).