Austerlands in mood to spring a surprise

JUNAID KHAN . . . firing on all cylinders.

MISSION impossible or achievable goal?

Austerlands will definitely believe in the latter when they welcome Bamford Fieldhouse to Thorpe Lane in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League tomorrow.

Unbeaten in 14 games — 12 wins and two draws — Bamford are coasting to a third consecutive title.

Bamford are so far in front — Austerlands are 71 points adrift in second place — that their rivals need the Keck Interferometer, the second largest telescope in the world, to spot Andy Barton’s boys.

But Austerlands won’t be lacking in confidence. They chased down 152 with three balls to spare in a rain-affected game at Uppermill last weekend and in Junaid Khan they boast a professional firing on all cylinders.

The Pakistani teenager took seven for 62 at Leafields, which included a triple-wicket maiden to finish off the home side’s resistance.

Tanner Cup finalists Uppermill will look to bounce back when they play host to a Saddleworth side boosted by the return of Ian Hague. The batsman is back at Well-i-Hole after spending nearly 10 years at Todmorden.

Glodwick are still without paid man Imran Aslam, who completes his two-game ban tomorrow.

The all-rounder from Pakistan was badly missed in the seven-wicket defeat at Saddleworth, and captain Nigel Stock will be hoping his men can step up to the mark when they meet Stayley at Warren Lane.

Heyside and Friarmere had a tough time with the bat last weekend — they were bowled out for 94 and 52 respectively — and both teams will be hoping they can put those problems behind them at Little Hey Street.

Second from bottom, Friarmere have only got pride to play for, whereas Heyside are looking forward to the semi-finals of the Twenty20 Cup on August 30.

Hollinwood, who are going along nicely in fourth, visit Shaw, while Moorside, who haven’t tasted success since June 6, should return to winning ways when Droylsden make the trip to Turf Pit Lane.


THE Moore Cup is at stake at Holebottom Clough on Sunday.

Shaw entertain Greenfield in the final of division two’s knock-out competition.

Tomorrow: Austerlands v Bamford Fieldhouse; Glodwick v Stayley; Heyside v Friarmere; Moorside v Droylsden; Shaw v Hollinwood; Uppermill v Saddleworth.

Sunday, Moore Cup final: Shaw v Greenfield.