Double ton fireworks

CRICKET: 

GRANT Hodnett wrote his name into the history books by smashing the highest individual score by a Moorside player on Saturday.

The professional struck a superb 206 against South West Manchester in the SWB Commercials Saddleworth and District Cricket League. Spectators at Ellesmere Road dived for cover as Hodnett hit 18s fours and 11 sixes during his 141-ball innings, comfortably beating the previous Moorside best by Sajid Ahmad - 172 against Uppermill in 1994.

Hodnett’s knock helped second-placed Moorside reach a commanding 290 for two, of which skipper Danny Anchor contributed 48.

Though bottom team South West Manchester never had much hope of challenging the target, they proved

difficult to shift and finished their 45 overs on 125 for six. Moorside now trail leaders Saddleworth, who had an open date, by 16 points.

Runs were in plentiful supply as the forecast rain stayed away until late on.

A reunion of players from 1970s, ’80s and ’90s were treated to Shaw’s best display of the season so far at Holebottom Clough.

Against Micklehurst, the home side raced to 355 for nine, which included a magnificent 170 from Waqas Khan.

The number four batsman was only at the crease for 108 deliveries and blasted 22 fours and nine sixes. He shared a fifth-wicket stand of 133 with Azam Hussain (59) in 14 overs.

When it was their turn to bat, Micklehurst had no answer to Richard Doherty, the seamer taking six for 45, which featured a triple-wicket maiden, as they were dismissed for 146.

Stayley’s overseas amateur, Oral Rankine, launched into the Friarmere attack at Millbrook, scoring a brilliant 184 out of 310 for two.

The West Indian and Peter Skuse, with a season’s-best 84, enjoyed a partnership of 260 runs.

Friarmere also had two stars with the bat. Bobby Khan and Ishtiaq Hussain, with 85 and 55 not out respectively, steered their side to 185 for three when rain stopped play with 14 overs to go.

But it was Stayley who avenged their Twenty20 defeat from the previous night by virtue of a superior run rate.

Austerlands are up to third after a thrilling run chase at Thorpe Lane. Opponents Greenfield, thanks to

captain Chris Gill (85) and Andy McVeigh (79), made a daunting 241 for nine. But it wasn’t enough as Austerlands, spearheaded by paid man Asif Zakir’s 54, completed victory with an over to spare.

Reigning champions Glodwick were set a revised target of 144 in 37 overs, in reply to Droylsden’s 160 all out. They got there in 26.2 overs, thanks to the efforts of Mike Whitehead (53) and pro Rehan Rafiq (42 not out). Whitehead also claimed five for 42.

In reply to Uppermill’s 193 — Daelon Campbell made 50 — Wythenshawe had reached 173 for seven when the elements intervened. They had done enough to claim victory thanks to greater run-rate.