Big-hitter out to KO leaders

THIS weekend’s derby double headers could have a huge bearing on the outcome of the SWB Saddleworth and District Cricket League title.

Leaders Saddleworth take on third-placed Greenfield, with the latter the hosts today and the reverse fixture taking place tomorrow.

But if local league watchers don’t fancy a trip to Ladhill Lane or Well-i-Hole, then pop into Turf Pit Lane or Thorpe Lane, where Moorside and Austerlands will face-off over next couple of days.

If the weather forecast is to be believed, chances of play on Sunday appear slim, in which case Saddleworth could steal a significant advantage with a double win.

If Greenfield can end the pacesetters’ unblemished record, they may feel confident of mounting a serious title challenge. With Tinashe Panyangara still with Zimbabwe, Greenfield called on Blackpool’s Christi Viljoen as deputy professional today.

When they employed the Namibian against Shaw earlier this month he smashed a club record 183, out of a record total of 433 for four. JP de Villiers, of East Lancashire, gets the nod for Greenfield tomorrow.

Swept aside convincingly by Saddleworth in the first round of the Tanner Cup, Moorside have yet to be beaten in the league.

Austerlands also have yet to taste defeat and there was much to like about how they dismantled poor Droylsden last Saturday.

Unless the elements intervene, something will give this weekend. Glodwick are gradually coming to the boil after an indifferent start to the campaign — they lost two of their opening four games — and they will have been buoyed with an excellent win over Westhoughton in the LCB Cup.

The reigning champions lock horns with Kane Fullalove’s Shaw, tomorrow and Sunday.

Uppermill also enjoyed LCB Cup success — they beat East Lancs PM — to get off the mark for the season.

Friarmere stand between them and a first win in the league.

With Michael Brooks absent tomorrow, Andy Jones will be the man charged with making Uppermill’s on-field decisions.

Stayley have been disappointing so far, despite a couple of notable signings in ex-Saddleworth paid man Peter Skuse as an amateur and new pro Hamza Nadeem.

Opponents Micklehurst should not be underestimated as overseas amateur Alton Beckford has impressed and Jake Caudwell looks a decent prospect.