Standing firm

Saddleworth and District Cricket League by KEVIN RICHARDSON

THE top two teams in the division, opposing professionals who are housemates and a flypast by the Avro Lancaster, the Saddleworth versus Glodwick fixture had a lot going for it.

The paid men did their bit at Well-i-Hole. Saddleworth’s Imran Aslam blasted 90 off 62 deliveries and Rehan Rafiq hit 83, and so too the crew of the famous Second World War bomber who banked against the blue sky before swooping low over Uppermill in celebration of the ‘Yanks’ weekend.

What about the match? It was probably the dullest game of cricket this scribe has seen all season.

The fact that Saddleworth won by 83 runs, reducing Glodwick’s lead to 18 points and enhancing their title aspirations, could not detract from the offerings on show.

Yes, credit must go to the home side for scoring 265 for the loss of seven wickets — the highest numbers of runs the pacesetters have conceded in 24 league and cup games so far this term.

The likes of Aslam, who blitzed 10 fours and five sixes, captain Brian Lord, with 47, Steven Howard 42 not out and Darren Shadford 39 dominated a Glodwick attack devoid of Shahid Mahmood because of illness.

There was the odd cover drive and neat square cut, but much of it, however, was slogging, highly-effective mind you.

One does not expect to see elegant or flashy shot-making at this level, but this wasn’t great on the eye.

As for leaders Glodwick, they dropped catches, missed a couple of run-out opportunities and generally did not field well at all. Some of their body language was also poor.

This was first versus second, by the way, the best teams in the league battling it out for supremacy.

After losing Mark Whitehead in the first over and Franco Lenhardt in the fourth, Glodwick were 12 for two in reply. When Anees Ur Rehman became the second caught Lord bowled Tom Avery victim, they were 37 for three.

Incoming batsman skipper Nigel Stock and his pro Rafiq then made a pact. Put away the bad ball, otherwise play with caution, extreme caution.

Saddleworth did not bowl many bad balls. The result was a turgid 24 overs in which only 71 runs were scored.

By not taking any risks, Glodwick deprived an increasingly frustrated Saddleworth the chance of maximum bowling points.

Stock eventually departed for 23, while Rafiq’s knock was ended by a superb one-handed caught and bowled by Aslam with the score on 151.

Chris Longley and Imran Asghar, with unbeaten knocks of 21 and 22 respectively, annoyed Saddleworth some more by grabbing their side a fourth batting point. Their sixth-wicxket partnership of 31 came in a whirlwind three overs.

Saddleworth had to settle for two bowling points, and returned to the dressing room infuriated at their title rivals’ stubborn approach.

Glodwick lost out by a point in the league title race last year. They will argue every point they can gain, and in this game deny their nearest rivals, could prove vital come the season’s end on September 14.