Gill sets sights on top-five spot

GREENFIELD players James Ashton (back, left), Adam Hayes, Matt Wolstenholme, Joe Hepworth, Dominic Gill, Alex Peters (front, left), Peter Gill, Jonathan Ainley, James Rothwell, Josh Higgins and Mike Moore. PICTURE by CHRIS SUNDERLAND.

CRICKET: KITTED out with a new pair of boots, shirt and flannels, Peter Gill did not just look the part at Greenfield on the first day of the 2011 Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League season, he acted the part too.

The elder statesman of the side at 49, Gill showed the younger brigade a thing or two with a match-winning display against one of the fancied teams for the title, Uppermill, to start the season in style.

A four-wicket haul, including opposition professional Imran Aslam who was bamboozled by a slow, flighty delivery, plus an unbeaten 41 helped Greenfield to make the perfect start.

Not even repeated ‘Mexican waves’ in the 400 or so crowd put the former Ladhill Lane captain off his stride.

“I just enjoy playing and it’s great to be among the kids,” said Gill, who is the newest member of the Saddleworth League’s executive committee.

“The younger players are so full of energy. To see them learn and develop close up is, for me, what it’s all about.

“If they keep progressing in the right direction, I think we’re capable of qualifying for next year’s LCB Cup with a top-five finish.”

Up until recently, the combination of ‘caught C Gill bowled P Gill’ was a regular sight in the Greenfield scorebook.

But the father-and-son partnership came to an end when Chris switched to Broad Oak in the Drakes Huddersfield League.

The wicketkeeper-batsman attends Leeds University and was persuaded to play ‘over the tops’ by a coach on the campus, who also happened to be the Broad Oak captain.

Gill hit the ground running, carving up the Slaithwaite bowling attack for 157 not out, before making 17 against Elland.