Young's men off bottom

COVERED UP: Crompton captain Simon Wright is pictured in front of the wet square at Glebe Street

ONLY three first-team fixtures survived the first wet day of the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League season.

One of the games that did go ahead saw a delighted Austerlands get off the mark at the expense of visitors Saddleworth.

A delayed start at the Uber Street ground meant each side faced a maximum of 20 overs.

Taking first knock, Austerlands made 142 for eight. Professional Shanuka Dulaj struck 34 and No.6 Mark Peter 32 not out.

Paid man Imran Aslam took three of the wickets to fall for 35 runs.

Saddleworth managed only 79 for eight. Brian Lord got 26 of those. Andy Young bagged three for 14 from four overs.

The victory lifted Andy Young's men off the bottom, leaving still winless Saddleworth to look up at the other 11 clubs in the section.

Rochdale's Henry Cooper launched into the Heyside bowling at Little Hey Street.

In a brutal display of batting, he smashed 109 off 45 balls,which included seven fours and a remarkable 12 sixes.

Ben Chapman added 62 as Rochdale amassed a mammoth 247 for five in the 20-over-a-side thrash.

Facing a huge total, Heyside scored 159 for eight in reply, with Declan Wilkinson making 67.

Moorside and Hollinwood rescued their afternoon with a 20-over thrash at Turf Pit Lane.

The hosts, with professional Gerrie Snyman and Imran Khan smashing 43 and 41 respectively, scored 170 for five in the Championship encounter.

Snyman's effort came off 23 deliveries and featured four sixes and three fours. Khan hit three sixes and three fours from 24 balls.

Krutik Patel claimed three for 45 from half-a-dozen overs.

Hollinwood, in reply, managed 131 for seven. Saiman Ghouri made 30, while Lee Warburton, overseas amateur Ruan Havenga and Khan weighed in with three wickets apiece.

Scores -

Premiership: Austerlands 142-8, Saddleworth 79-8; Rochdale 247-5 (H Cooper 109, B Chapman 62), Heyside 159-8 (D Wilkinson 67); Crompton v Walsden, Littleborough v Norden, Greenfield v Monton and Weaste, Glodwick v Stayley - no play, rain;

Championship: Moorside 170-5 (G Snyman 43, I Khan 41), Hollinwood 131-7; Shaw v Milnrow, Royton v Middleton, Uppermill v Ashton, Werneth v Friarmere, Oldham v Micklehurst - no play, rain.

LCB Cup round-up in Thursday's Chronicle.