Micklehurst ace earns skipper’s salute

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.”

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