Look out for Moor G-Force

GERRIE SNYMAN . . . the Moorside pro has quickly settled into his new surroundings

WATCH out, Gerrie Snyman is ready to rumble.

That's the warning from Moorside's Rick Harrington as he looked forward to a weekend involving a first-round JW Lees Wood Cup tie and the opening group games in this season's Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup competition.

Snyman provided plenty of fireworks with the bat when he played for Heyside in the old Saddleworth League.

And the Namibian professional is warming up nicely for some more big-hitting exploits, according to the Turf Pit Lane skipper.

Moorside face Pennine Cricket League Championship rivals Middleton in the Wood Cup tomorrow - they are first and second in the table - and meet holders Monton and Weaste in the T20 on Monday.

"Gerrie is just starting to find his range - we're all waiting for him to take off," said Harrington

"He scored four half-centuries on the spin up until last week when he got 43, so he's in good nick.

"We're sure he's going to decimate a bowling attack sooner rather than later, and when he gets into his stride there's no stopping him."

Snyman's reputation at Heyside went before him.

In the 2013 Saddleworth League T20 final, ironically against Moorside, he smashed 146 not out from only 55 balls!

However, Harrington reckons the 36-year-old has changed his approach.

"He's actually more conservative these days - a bit more streetwise," Harrington added.

"In the past, he would have sent back only a handful of deliveries and then really gone for it. He seems to be grafting for his runs and weighing up the situation at the time.

"CAPABLE"

"As team-mates, it's our job to stick with him as everyone knows what he is capable of."

Tomorrow's showdown offers Moorside the chance to put one over their title rivals.

While Middleton have won five of their six league matches, with the other rained off, Harrington does not fear the Towncroft side.

He said: "It should be an interesting game.

"They have got some very good individuals who are obviously in form.

"They have scored 300 runs at home on more than one occasion this season, but they don't frighten us one iota."

As for the other ties, Royton, from the Championship, face a huge task at Walsden, who lie second in the Premiership, Crompton will fancy their chances of turning over top-flight strugglers Saddleworth, while Heyside will hope to repeat their league victory over Greenfield when the two sides meet at Little Hey Street.

Fixtures -

Tomorrow (1.30pm) - JW Lees Wood Cup, round one: Walsden v Royton; Glodwick v Littleborough; Shaw v Rochdale; Heyside v Greenfield; Milnrow v Austerlands; Crompton v Saddleworth; Norden v Monton and Weaste; Moorside v Middleton.

Monday (2.30pm) - Tom Hardman Group 'A': Micklehurst v Norden; Moorside v Monton and Weaste; Stayley v Heyside.

Group 'B': Ashton v Hollinwood; Crompton v Glodwick; Royton v Milnrow.

Group 'C': Middleton v Shaw; Saddleworth v Littleborough; Werneth v Walsden.

Group 'D': Austerlands v Rochdale; Friarmere v Uppermill; Greenfield v Oldham.