League team reach final on run rate

FOR much of yesterday’s Readers Inter-League Knock-out semi-final clash, spectators quaffed cold pints, looking forward to a comfy armchair and the start of Countryfile.

The Saddleworth and District Cricket League’s representative side were cruising. At 118 for one, chasing the Bolton League’s total of 146, there was only one winner — home for 6.45pm, television on, feet up.

What followed started out as a stutter, then a wobble, before turning into a full-scale meltdown.

In the end a calculator saved the Saddleworth League from a sporting calamity.

Peter Skuse’s Saddleworth League men were also bowled out for 146, but won by virtue of a superior run-rate.

The hosts were quickly on to the front foot of this match at Moorside.

After winning the toss, visiting skipper Phil Ingram departed with only two runs on the board. Adil Nasir and David Tonge moved the total up to 38, but once that stand was broken wickets tumbled.

The Bolton League were 75 for seven, with Austerlands' CJ Ferreira, Greenfield's Michael Bird, Skuse, of Stayley, and Saddleworth's Dave Roberts the instigators of their downfall.

Ex-Austerlands player Syd De Silva and Danny Partington held up the Saddleworth League's charge with a stand of 55, but when the former holed out to Ferreira for 37, the late-order resistance crumbled away. Bird, Greenfield's Adam Hayes and Ferreira each claimed two wickets.

Saddleworth's Michael Jones and Chris Gill (Greenfield) set off in pursuit of the target with gusto.

The score was 65 when the latter chipped the ball to Tonge for 26.

Club-mate Alex Peters took up the mantle with a sprightly 15 when paceman Adam Street, who bowled much better in his second spell, found the edge of his bat.

Jones had already achieved his half-century by this stage and was set to steer the Saddleworth League ship across the line when he provided De Silva with a simple return catch for a serene 68.

A batting collapse of all batting collapses ensued, but by virtue of the Saddleworth League scoring their runs in 36.4 overs, compared to 42.5, they were through to the final.

No wonder Sid the scorer reached for his packet of fags immediately after the conclusion.

The Saddleworth League will play the Lancashire County League in the final on Sunday, August 9. Venue to be decided.

Other scores —

Readers Inter-League Colts Competition (at Stayley): Saddleworth 97, Bolton League 98-4.

Moore Cup semi-finals: Glodwick 197 (G Partington 5-40), Greenfield 102; Whalley Range 257-8 (J Fakir 106), Micklehurst 39 (M Khan 5-20).