Third time lucky for Danny’s men?

GEARED UP . . . Danny Anchor.

MOORSIDE skipper Danny Anchor is hoping to win some silverware for the Turf Pit Lane sideboard in the Saddleworth League’s Pro Elite Sports Twenty20 finals day on Monday.

Run away league leaders Saddleworth will likely start as favourites to land the trophy at the end of an action-packed three-game day at Greenfield’s Ladd Hill Lane ground - but Anchor believes no outcome can be ruled out.

Moorside start the day at 10.30am when they face semi-final outsiders Shaw, with hosts Greenfield then set to take on Saddleworth at 1.30pm. The final will start at around 4.30pm.

Anchor, whose side has twice reached finals only to lose to perennial winners Heyside, said: “Twenty20 finals day is always a good occasion, and we’re desperate to make it third time lucky. If we beat Shaw in the morning we’ll have a long wait before the final, but we wouldn’t be complaining too much, I guess.

“I know Shaw are the lowest-ranked team, but that doesn’t really mean anything. Shaw are a great side and we will have to respect them totally. It’s an old cliche, but even ahead of days like this, we have to take each game as it comes.”

It’s looking like the Twenty20 competition is going to be Moorside’s final chance of winning silverware in the closing Saddleworth League campaign. In Anchor’s view, they are now too far behind current league front runners Saddleworth.

“I’s say our title hopes are over now,” added Anchor.

“Saddleworth are too far in front: the rest of us are fighting for the runner-up spot. Austerlands may still fancy their chances as they have a couple of games in hand on Saddleworth, but it still looks like Saddleworth to me.”

Moorside travel to Glodwick on Saturday, hoping for a first match in three weeks. After an open date a fortnight ago, Anchor’s men were left kicking their heels last Saturday when Stayley couldn’t raise a team: “It was a frustrating day,” said Anchor.

twitter: @Smedders1966