Van’s the man

CRICKET: HEYSIDE are a club on the march.

The Little Hey Street side has taken some time to adjust to life in the CLL following its departure from the Saddleworth League, but is now one of the championship’s in-form clubs.

Solid results in June have seen Heyside climb to fourth in the table, three points behind Ashton and Radcliffe in joint second. Given their current form, Heyside can reasonably hope to finish in the top two.

Several players have put their hands up in recent weeks, not least professional Shadley van Schalkwyk, who is the division’s leading run scorer with 441 at an average of 63. Skipper Ryan Barnes, opener Jon Selby and middle-order batsman Nick Campbell have made vital knocks, while opening bowler Scott Bloor has regularly claimed important wickets.

Heyside face a tricky assignment at Milnrow tomorrow, while Middleton at home on Sunday will be no cakewalk either. But two victories would really fuel belief that a top-two finish – and place in next year’s Pennine League top flight – is within reach.

Leaders Crompton host fellow high-fliers Ashton tomorrow before making the short trip to Oldham on Sunday. Before that game, Oldham go to Middleton, while Werneth will be looking for a change in fortune at Radcliffe tomorrow and at home to Milnrow 24 hours later.