Leaders dodge a bullet

Bamford Peter Roberts survives an appeal from Hollinwood's Maasa Butt

SADDLEWORTH CRICKET LEAGUE
LEADERS Uppermill dug deep to deny Droylsden in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

In reply to 198, the high-flyers recovered from 81 for five to defeat Michael Schofield’s side by three wickets at Leefields.

Gutsy middle-order knocks from Nathan Boote, who made 52, Matt Taylor, with an unbeaten 48, and 25 not out from captain Alex Griffiths deprived Droylsden of a first win in five league and cup games.

Visiting overseas amateur Abdul Waheed, on debut, took four of the first five wickets to fall for 47 runs after he earlier compiled exactly 50. Aqib Uppal, with 58, led the way for the Oakfield outfit.

Uppermill professional Imran Aslam took his tally to 51 wickets for the season in a spell of six for 59 from 15 overs.

Nearest challengers Shaw kept up the pressure — they are 14 points adrift in the second place — thanks to a superb 150 from Khurram Shehzad.

The season’s best score from the Pakistani pro helped the home side to a daunting 280 for seven against Greenfield who, like Shaw, were chasing a third league win on the spin.

The visitors were dismissed for 137, with Alex Peters making 53.

Grant Hodnett surpassed Shehzad’s effort by a couple of runs as Bamford Fieldhouse piled up 317 for four at basement boys Hollinwood.

Simon Wright also weighed in with 93, before the hosts were humbled for 76.

Paid man Roelof Hugo struck an unbeaten 100 as third-placed Heyside, requiring 213 for victory against Glodwick, clinched a six-wicket victory.

The South African was supported by skipper Nick Campbell, who made 53, while team-mate Danny Cashin claimed five for 48. Mark Whitehead hit 58 for Glodwick.

And Saddleworth, with half-centuries from pro Peter Skuse (60 not out), Ian Hague (58) and overseas amateur Michael Jones (53), completed a fifth straight win in all competitions with a five-wicket defeat of Stayley at Well-i-Hole.

Lou Adair, with 87 not out, and 67 from professional JP Lee had earlier helped set Steven Howard’s side an imposing 260 for victory.

Scores — see Chronicle