Micklehurst defy odds to go through

IMRAN ASLAM, in action on his way to a knock of 63 against Uppermill on Saturday, made a telling 61 against Whalley Range in the Tanner Cup the following day. Picture by TIM BRADLEY.

CRICKET: MICKLEHURST warmed their supporters' hands on a chilly afternoon at Castle Lane by shocking Austerlands in the last eight of the Tanner Cup.

Seven places above Michael Blomeley's side in the SWB Commercial Saddleworth and District Cricket League table and with a win over them already this season, the form book came down heavily in favour of the visitors. But it was Micklehurst who sent a shiver down the spine of Austerlands courtesy of a 45-run win.

With overseas amateur Alton Beckford and captain Michael Blomeley scoring 68 and 60 respectively, the hosts totalled 223 for nine. Brad Hadfield (32) and Pete Barrow (28) also contributed. It could and should have been so much better for Micklehurst, though, as they were 189 for four with 10 of their 45 overs left.

Beckford's was the key wicket in the late scramble for runs, the impressive West Indian holing out to a terrific tumbling catch by Andy Green running across from deep mid-off.

Michael Lockett was the main beneficiary of Micklehurst's late collapse as he collected four for 39.

Andy Young has done a decent job in opening the Austerlands' reply in recent weeks, and he added 39 for the first wicket alongside Adam Sunderland.

But from a confident start, Mark Peters' men found themselves on the back foot. They slumped to 75 for five, with Beckford taking four of the five wickets to fall. He claimed the scalp of his Austerlands overseas counterpart CJ Ferreira and then the prized wicket of professional Asif Zakir cheaply in figures of four for 22.

The middle-order of Joe Molloy (36), Kevin Du Feu (27) and Peters (26) caused a few anxious moments among the Micklehurst ranks, but they were unable to stick around long enough.

Two of the other three ties were extremely one-sided. Adam Robinson grabbed four for 11 as Greenfield skittled Friarmere for only 52 runs at Slack Lane. Chris Gill's side lost one wicket in reply.

Beaten finalists in 2012, Glodwick were equally as dismissive of Stayley at Warren Lane.

The visitors crashed to 110 all out, with professional Rehan Rafiq picking up four for two.

Glodwick skipper Franco Lenhardt led the way in reply, scoring an unbeaten 67 in a facile eight-wicket success.

Leaders Saddleworth are still in the hunt for a first XI treble – league, Tanner Cup and Twenty20 Competition – after defeating Whalley Range by 37 runs.

Paid man Imran Aslam's 61 was the mainstay of the hosts' total of 216 for nine.

Abishek Kulkarni struck 65 when it was Whalley Range's turn to take guard, but it wasn't enough to see his side over the line.

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