Local trio targeting big T20 scalps

Uppermill CC Team Andrew Jones captain.

THREE clubs from the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League Championship are targeting top-flight scalps in the last eight of the Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup on Sunday.

Moorside, who lie joint third in the second tier, go to leaders Walsden, Uppermill visit Norden and Royton head to Rochdale.

The other tie features Premiership sides Glodwick and Littleborough, who meet at Warren Lane.

Uppermill, with Andrew Jones at the helm, are enjoying a decent season and are keeping Moorside company with seven league wins.

The lads from Leefields qualified alongside Rochdale from Group 'D', so definitely won't fear their rivals for a place in the semi-finals.

DESTRUCTIVE

The same can be said of Moorside. They boast the destructive Gerrie Snyman as their professional.

He hits the ball hard and often a long way.

Royton have an opportunity to make up for some of the disappointment of losing to Rochdale in the last four of the JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup.

The Paddock club didn't do themselves justice on that particular day.

Finals day is on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28, at a venue to be confirmed by the league.

Tomorrow's league action sees Greenfield continue their pursuit of a top-five spot in the Premiership with a home match against Glodwick.

The hosts, skippered by Chris Gill, are playing some tidy stuff having won their last two matches, while their opponents' recent five-game record reads: won, lost, won, lost, won.

Heyside are one of the form teams in the Premiership - they have triumphed in each of their previous five games in all competitions - and have a Tanner Cup final against Norden on Sunday, August 13, to look forward to.

To maintain the positive frame of mind, captain Ryan Barnes will want his boys to stay on their game.

They go to Littleborough, who have rather dropped off the pace of late.

One player who is riding the crest of a wave is John Punchard.

After helping Crompton reach the final of the Wood Cup - they play Rochdale on Sunday week - he can now be called an Ashes winner after England over-60s built up an unassailable 2-0 lead against Australia in the three-match series.

FOCUS

This weekend Punchard's focus is on Crompton's tricky-looking visit to Monton and Weaste.

Pacesetting Walsden head to Rochdale, who sit third, while second-placed Norden welcome Austerlands.

Middleton boast a significant 10-point advantage in the race for the Championship title.

Therefore, nearest rivals Royton will look to Werneth for a huge favour when they meet the leaders at Towncroft.

Royton's task takes place at home, with Oldham the visitors to the Paddock.

This weekend's fixtures -

Tomorrow, Premiership (1.30pm): Greenfield v Glodwick; Littleborough v Heyside; Monton and Weaste v Crompton; Norden v Austerlands; Rochdale v Walsden; Stayley v Saddleworth.

Championship (1.30pm): Hollinwood v Uppermill; Micklehurst v Ashton; Middleton v Werneth; Milnrow v Friarmere; Moorside v Shaw; Royton v Oldham.

Sunday, Tom Hardman Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals (3pm): Rochdale v Royton; Glodwick v Littleborough; Norden v Uppermill; Walsden v Moorside.