Micklehurst ace earns skipper’s salute
Reporter: Kevin Richardson
Date published: 07 August 2015
ALTON BECKFORD in action
CRICKET:
Micklehurst are bearing the fruit of doing their homework in the exceptional performances of Alton Beckford.
Skipper Michael Blomeley and his colleagues made sure every box was ticked before making a move for the West Indian, speaking to his former club, Flixton, and signed the all-rounder aftere a glowing recommendation.
And the player has just got better and better. A sparkling ton in the Tanner Cup semi-final against Saddleworth has been his highlight with a bat so far, and there have been half-centuries against Wythenshawe and Uppermill.
Wickets have come his way too: seven last Sunday against Uppermill - including a hat-trick and two with two deliveries. No wonder Micklehurst is hoping to extend his deal into 2016.
Blomeley said: “Alton has been a pleasure to watch, and he enjoys Saddleworth League bowling. The century in the Tanner Cup was the best innings I’ve seen him play: he was immense.
“He is a top lad, easy to get on with and just a happy guy to have around. Danny Clayton enjoys batting with him, like a lot of us do.”
With approaching 800 runs and 53 wickets, Beckford has certainly made his mark in his debut season in the league: “It was a big plus that he has played over here, though I think some of our grounds in the league have been a bit of an eye-opener for him.”
Blomeley is hoping for a positive sequence of results: “One or two of us have struggled, including me, but hopefully we can put a run together. We’ve got better fixtures towards the end of the season and we’re looking to finish off relatively strongly.”
twitter: @kevrichardsonOC
Most Viewed News Stories
- 1New bar coming to Royton with glass pavilion-style seating
- 2Mortuary ‘unfit for future use’ to be replaced after more than 15 years
- 3Residents take up frustrating road junction issue
- 4‘Affordable’ housing block nears completion as Oldham grapples with rent hikes
- 5Callous thieves target heritage stone walls