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CRICKET: SADDLEWORTH are on the brink of being crowned SWB Commercials Saddleworth and District Cricket League champions.

With 24 points needed from their last two games - 44 are available - Brian Lord’s men, barring a huge meltdown, should wrap up the title next weekend.

They moved a step closer to top spot and the treble after victory in the Tanner Cup and Twenty20 competition finals, with a crushing 217-runs success over local rivals Uppermill at Well-i-Hole yesterday.

Austerlands’ hopes of catching the high-fliers were left in tatters with a 42-run defeat at Greenfield on Saturday. They hit back with victory at home to Whalley Range yesterday - Mohammed Irfan and off-spinner Shoaib Muhammed bagged four wickets apiece - but the damage had been done.

Austerlands dropped to third place in the table after Glodwick completed a comprehensive weekend win double.

Champions in 2014, they opened up with a 163-runs defeat of hosts Droylsden, who were bundled out for just 57, and then hammered Friarmere by nine wickets at Warren Lane.

Glodwick can still overtake Saddleworth, while Greenfield are gunning fourth place, which brings with it a spot in next year's Pennine Cricket League top flight.

While Alex Peters with 85 was the man in form in Saturday’s win at home to Austerlands, overseas amateur Brendon Jacobs’ unbeaten 57 held the reply together as the lads from Ladhill Lane beat Stayley by five wickets yesterday.

Moorside are in fourth after first seeing off lowly South West Manchester by seven wickets and then Shaw by 69 runs.

Though the margins of victory appear generous, they were 12 for three chasing 128 on Saturday - Richard Baines (56) and Danny Anchor (53) recorded unbeaten half-centuries to turn things around - and were dismissed for 167 yesterday after Drew Fullalove had taken five for 24.