Saddleworth flying the flag

MOORSIDE'S Jamie Taylor in delivery stride against Brian Lord, of Saddleworth, in the Wood Cup

SADDLEWORTH are carrying the hopes of the borough in the John Willie Lees Wood Cup ­- but Brian Lord's men face a mighty task if they are to reach the final.

The Well-i-Hole club have been pitted against Pennine Cricket League Premiership leaders Walsden in the last four.

It is the toughest of draws for Saddleworth who, after a shaky start, have gained a firm foothold in the top flight.

Victory over Walsden, beaten only once in the Premiership in nine outings, would represent their best result of the season so far.

Saddleworth would, though, have to do better with the bat after finding themselves in a bit of a hole in the last eight.

They were 129 for eight against Moorside when rain stopped play.

The other semi-final sees Rochdale play host to Littleborough, who got the better of Austerlands and Uppermill in bowl-outs respectively.

Quarter-final ties in the Tanner Cup were also hit by rain, but Greenfield had long been sitting comfortably in the bar at Ladhill Lane by the time the heavens opened.

Adam Robinson, with figures of four for 18, and Matt Barlow (two for 23) ripped out Oldham's top order, before spinners Alex Peters (three for one) and professional James Muirhead mobbed up the tail as Oldham crashed to 44 all out.

Greenfield lost three wickets in reply, but it was all over in the 11th over.

They can now look forward to a last-four tie at home to Crompton, who beat Shaw in a bowl-out after being dismissed for 159.

Werneth's prize for overcoming Championship pacesetters Milnrow in a bowl-out is a home clash with Ashton.

The Rayner Lane side booked their semi-final place after overcoming Premiership Monton and Weaste by a superior run rate.

Burton Cup honours will be heading back to the borough whatever happens as Crompton host Glodwick and Oldham head to Friarmere.

It could be a similar story in the Moore Cup.

Either Middleton or Saddleworth, who meet on Sunday, are at home to Uppermill and Heyside go to Monton and Weaste.

Semi-final draws ­-

Wood Cup: Rochdale v Littleborough; Saddleworth v Walsden.

Tanner Cup: Greenfield v Crompton; Ashton v Werneth.

Burton Cup (second XI): Crompton v Glodwick; Friarmere v Oldham.

Moore Cup (second XI): Middleton/Saddleworth v Uppermill; Monton and Weaste v Heyside.

All semi-final ties to be played on Sunday, July 17.