Treble-seekers maul Moorside

SADDLEWORTH smashed title rivals Moorside by nine wickets to surge 37 points clear at the top of the SWB Commercials Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

On course for a league, Tanner Cup and Twenty20 treble, Brian Lord's side was in irresistible form at Turf Pit Lane yesterday.

Such was Saddleworth's dominance, the eagerly-awaited clash of two of the league's big guns was over by 4.15pm. Moorside crashed to 62 all out, with seamer Mohammed Shakir claiming five of the wickets for 28 runs.

As Saddleworth reached their meagre goal, there was at least one happy Australian in this country: overseas amateur Michael Jones finished unbeaten on 51.

After a shock defeat at Wythenshawe on Saturday, it was a weekend to forget for Danny Anchor's Moorside. Rehan Rafiq was the destroyer as Glodwick beat Stayley by five wickets at Warren Lane.

The Pakistani professional took five for 31 in limiting the visitors to 159. He then scored 74 not out to guide home Glodwick, who now trail second-placed Moorside by a solitary point. They also have a game in hand on both of the top two teams.

Greenfield's open date left the door ajar for Whalley Range to seek into fourth after a decent tussle at Slack Lane.

Range was restricted to 180 for nine, and while Mohammed Kamran made 60 when it was Friarmere's turn to bat, they fell short by 19 runs.

Alton Beckford was the star turn for Micklehurst in a 43-runs defeat of Uppermill at Castle Lane.

The West Indian overseas amateur struck 81 in his side's total of 167. James Chamberlain bagged six for 48. Beckford then followed up with seven for 26, including a hat-trick, as Uppermill slipped to 124 all out. Daelon Campbell scored 44 to give the reply some respectability.

Down in sixth place, Austerlands can't be discounted from the title contest given their two games in hand. Skipper Mark Peters will be irritated that they only managed 163 batting first against basement team South West Manchester, but he will be more than happy with his bowlers as the hosts were skittled for 74.

twitter: @kevrichardsonOC