Busy times in store for trio

Rehan Rafiq, the Glodwick professional.

Saddleworth League preview

GLODWICK, Moorside and Uppermill are fighting on three fronts this weekend.

First up tonight is round one of the Pro Elite Sports Twenty20 Competition, followed by the latest clutch of fixtures in the SWB Commercials Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

And while their league rivals have a well-earned rest on Sunday, players from the aforementioned trio will brush down their flannels again in preparation for the LCB Cup.

The draw for the Lancashire-wide knock-out has pitted two of the three remaining Saddleworth League sides against clubs with long-held traditions in the county.

Uppermill host Bootle, of the Liverpool Competition, while Moorside go to St Anne’s, from the Northern League.

Victory would be a feather in the cap for the local teams, and while each faces a daunting prospect, their opponents aren’t exactly pulling up any trees this season. Bootle are seventh in the table, while St Anne's are second-bottom.

Meanwhile, Glodwick will fear no-one in the LCB Cup after beating leading Bolton League side Westhoughton in round one, with Shahid Mahmood, Rehan Rafiq and Brad Heap helping them to achieve a noteworthy six-wicket success.

Prestwich, who sit third in the Greene King Lancashire County League, are next on their hit list at Warren Lane.

This weekend’s action starts with the slog-fest that is the T20.

Uppermill, who entertain Moorside, will hope to go on a similar run to last year, which eventually saw them win a thrilling final against Glodwick.

In trying to go one better, the 2014 beaten finalists must first overcome Waqas Malik’s Whalley Range at home.

According to the latest forecast, the weather may have a big impact on tomorrow’s league programme.

Rain is predicted, and one assumes leaders Saddleworth, who have an open date, would quite happily watch it pour down.

Nearest rivals Moorside visit lowly South West Manchester.

Whalley Range, in third spot, also have no game, which leaves the way open for fourth-placed Austerlands to climb the table when they entertain Greenfield.