Aslam lifts title favourites

CRICKET: THIS season's leading wicket-taker Imran Aslam bagged four more victims as Saddleworth neatly swerved a potential banana skin in their quest for the title.

The Pakistani professional helped dismiss sixth-placed Whalley Range for 134 at Kingsbrook Road.

Aslam's figures of four for 46 took his tally in the SWB Commercials Saddleworth and District Cricket League to an impressive 72 wickets.

With Steve Howard making 51 in reply, the high-fliers reached their target for the loss of only two batsmen.

Saddleworth continue to lead by 59 points after second-placed Austerlands beat Droylsden by nine wickets at Oakfield. The home side crashed to 54 all out, only nine runs better than their effort with the bat in the reverse fixture in May.

Left-arm seamer Mohammed Irfan and overseas amateur CJ Ferreira were the destroyers with hauls of five for 19 and five for 30 respectively.

Moorside, in third, picked up 21 points at home to Stayley without bowling a ball in anger. Their opponents had only six men at the start time of 1pm – eight are required to start a game, which meant Danny Anchor's team were able to claim the spoils.

Moorside was awarded 12 points, plus the average bonus points gained by the successful sides in Division One on the day, which on Saturday was nine.

Glodwick restricted Micklehurst to 132 for nine at Castle Lane, with paid man Rehan Rafiq collecting four for 26. Shahid Mahmood struck 45 when it was the reigning champions' turn to bat.

His wicket was one of five lost before victory.

Greenfield are eight points behind Glodwick in fifth after defeating local rivals Uppermill at Ladhill Lane. A half-century from captain Michael Brooks (55) lifted the visitors' to 189 for seven. Overseas amateur Brendon Jacobs claimed four for 67.

A break for rain left Greenfield with a revised target of 175 in 39 overs, achieved with five wickets to spare. Skipper Chris Gill matched his opposite number by scoring 55 and Adam Hayes compiled 46.

Shaw put consecutive wins on the board, thanks to another terrific bowling performance from Azam Hussain. A week after his seven-wicket haul against Stayley, the right-armer claimed five for 57 as basement side South West Manchester were skittled for 129 at Holebottom Clough. Waqas Khan hit 44 in Shaw's reply of 130 for five.

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