Blomeley's troops eye another shock

Michael Blomeley - upbeat

MICKLEHURST are plotting another Tanner Cup upset on Sunday.

Michael Blomeley’s side were underdogs for their quarter-final tie at home to Austerlands, but emerged victorious after producing their best display of the season.

Now, with their semi-final against Saddleworth just 48 hours away, they are aiming to ruffle a few more feathers at Castle Lane.

The visitors are targeting a Saddleworth and District Cricket League treble, but such high-ranking opponents do not concern Blomeley.

He said: “The place will be jam-packed. It usually is when Saddleworth come here, which should create a good atmosphere.

“It was a great performance to beat Austerlands in the previous round, so there is no reason why we can’t turn it on again.

“Alton Beckford, our overseas amateur, has recovered from a calf strain and with conditions having finally warmed up — it was about 10 degrees when he arrived from Jamaica — he can bowl his preferred spin rather than medium pace.”

Jonny Forrester is unavailable for Micklehurst, so ex-Saddleworth player Nick Lawrence steps in. Another former Well-i-Hole incumbent, Richard Jones, will take the gloves, leaving Blomeley to direct operations in the outfield.

The other semi-final sees Glodwick entertain Greenfield at Warren Lane.

The two sides met at the same venue at the beginning of the month, with the hosts easing to a seven-wicket victory.

However, since then Glodwick have suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Saddleworth.

The stand-out game in tomorrow’s league programme also involves Greenfield.

They tackle Moorside, with the hope of narrowing the gap on the joint pacesetters.