Austerlands for top tier

Greenfield batsman Pete Gill

CRICKET: 

AUSTERLANDS clinched the last remaining place in the top flight of next year's all-new Pennine Cricket League with a comprehensive 100-run win at Wythenshawe.

A superb spell of bowling from overseas amateur CJ Ferreira, who claimed seven for 15, saw the hosts skittled for 47 in reply to 147.

Austerlands join champions Saddleworth, Greenfield and Glodwick in the upper tier of the PCL in 2016, while Moorside just miss out - despite beating Micklehurst by eight wickets. Professional Grant Hodnett and Rick Harrington were unbeaten on 87 and 51 respectively in the successful run chase.

Greenfield claimed runners-up spot on the final day in the history of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League by virtue of a 77-run defeat over the team who could have denied them, Glodwick.

Alex Peters, with a superb 107, was the mainstay of the home side's total of 180.

Shaw ended the season on a high note with victory at Droylsden - Azam Hussain bagged seven for 45 for the visitors - and there were also wins for Whalley Range and Friarmere.

The second XI title went to Friarmere, after they chased down South West Manchester's target of 204 with five wickets to spare.