Family fortunes

Photo: -PAUL STERRITT

DOWN AND OUT: Alex Peters can’t believe being run out for 55 in the Inter-League final against the Lancashire County League at Well-i-Hole. The Greenfield batsman returns to the ground on Sunday for 2015 Tanner Cup final.

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CHRIS Gill will be the third generation of his family to lead out Greenfield in a Tanner Cup final on Sunday — but he will be the first to lift the trophy if his side beat hosts Saddleworth.

Though dad Peter and grandad David have both won the Saddleworth and District Cricket League competition in Delph colours, both have failed to achieve the feat while captaining the Ladhill Lane club. That could change this weekend as Greenfield do battle with the league leaders at Well-i-Hole.

And while wicketkeeper Chris (23) will be lining up alongside his dad, another father and son combination will be on the Saddleworth teamsheet — Steve and James Howard.

So what if Greenfield win?

“I probably won’t go to work for a week,” replied Peter (53). “It would be very special, especially with Chris in the team. There is be no bigger thrill for me than playing alongside your own son, and I’m sure Steve feels the same way.”

While Greenfield’s hopes of knocking Saddleworth off their perch suffered a blow last weekend when they lost to Whalley Range, Chris is looking to wins over title rivals Moorside and Glodwick as proof they can win on Sunday.

“We had built up a head of steam before that defeat, but if we can put that behind us, you never know,” said Chris. “We’ve got some good players all the way down the order. If we can keep our discipline I would back us to chase down any target.”

With the Pennine Cricket League set to start in 2016, this will be the last Tanner Cup final in its present form.

Steve Howard (47) has played in seven of them — five for Saddleworth and two for Moorside — and has won each time. But it will be a first for under-16s Lancashire player James (16). Steve’s dad, Graham, also played in a final, for Hollinwood against Delph in 1973.

Saddleworth captain Brian Lord and his opposite number at Greenfield are also making their final bows.

The two teams have met twice this season in the traditional Whit double headers, each winning one.

“I’m very honoured,” said 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Lord. “I’m nervous, but I’m also looking forward to it. We deserve to be there, the way we’ve played this season, but we can’t afford to be complacent. One mistake could change everything.”

GREENFIELD have won the Tanner Cup twice — in 1929 and 1936. Saddleworth have won seven times, including a shared final with Moorside in 1951.

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