Moor the merrier after nine-wicket stroll

CRICKET: MOORSIDE went top of the SWB Commercials Saddleworth and District Cricket League table - though only for 24 hours - after crushing Droylsden by nine wickets at Turf Pit Lane.

The visitors stumbled to 109 all out before grabbing the wicket of professional Grant Hodnett for just eight. That was good as it got for Droylsden, as Richard Baines and Danny Anchor steered home Moorside with unbeaten half-centuries.

Saddleworth had to play second fiddle to Stayley at Millbrook. Leading amateur batsman Darren Shadford and paid man Imran Aslam could only manage single-figure scores as the high-fliers were skittled for 126. Pro Hamza Nadeem took five for 28.

Going along nicely at 98 for two in reply at the half-way stage of their innings, Stayley went on to lose four more wickets before crossing the finish line. West Indian overseas amateur Oral Rankine made a useful 46.

Austerlands are hot on the heels of the front two after piling up the runs at third-bottom Uppermill. Pakistani paid Man Asif Zakir recorded his best-ever score for the club, a magnificent 182 not out, in the visitors' mammoth 331 for six. He faced 122 balls, hitting 13 fours and 14 sixes, while he put on 105 for the third wicket with Adam Young (53).

Uppermill achieved maximum batting points in reply – they needed 200 and got 201 – but were unable to get anywhere near the victory target.

Wanting to share some of the limelight with his sibling, Adam’s brother Andy bagged four for 64.

Greenfield completed a five-wicket defeat of Shaw at Holebottom Clough. Alex Peters took five for 64 in the hosts' 179, then scored 41 in the successful reply. Kane Fullalove claimed four of the five victims for 89 runs.

Glodwick certainly haven't given up hope of retaining their title. They brushed aside Wythenshawe by eight wickets at Warren Lane, thanks to an unbeaten 83 not out by Anees Ur Rehman. Pro Rehan Rafiq had earlier taken four for 44 as the visitors were dismissed for 137.

Micklehurst followed up their quarter-final Tanner Cup triumph with a 12-run win at home to Friarmere. Alton Beckford, the club's overseas amateur from the West Indies, added to his tally of 24 wickets with four more as the visitors to Castle Lane were dismissed for 186 in reply to 98 for nine.