Greenfield slump to hand win to rivals

NICE N STEADY . . . Saddleworth's Darren Shadford blocks one in Saturday's derby thriller

SADDLEWORTH maintained their stranglehold on third place in the Pennine Cricket League top flight as they squeezed to a thrilling two-run victory against local rivals Greenfield.

The hosts took first knock and registered a below-par 143 all out. Daniel Poole top-scored for Saddleworth with a neat 36.

Greenfield looked to be cruising to victory when on 120 for three in their reply, but they lost their last seven wickets for just 21 runs. Nauman Akram starred, taking six wickets for Saddleworth, while Imran Aslam took four.

Both the top two were beaten. Walsden suffered just their second defeat of the league season as they were stunned by 93 runs against Austerlands.

The hosts took first knock, scoring 164 all out, before then dismissing the Wood Cup finalists for a mere 71.

Glodwick suffered at the hands of a rampant Rochdale.

Dale took first knock, and chiefly thanks to a brilliant 145 not out from professional William Bosisto, scored 292 for the loss of only three wickets.

Andrew Dawson was also in good nick, adding 79.

In reply, Franco Lenhardt top-scored with 33 as Glodwick were bowled out for 94. Dale Highton returned superb bowling figures of six for 19.

Derby day at Crompton saw the hosts ease to a 20-run success against Royton.

Elsewhere in the top flight, Norden beat neighbours Littleborough by just three runs in a thriller.

Championship leaders Milnrow suffered a shock defeat, by 70 runs at constantly improving Ashton.

Heyside, meanwhile, kept up the pressure on the front-runners as they routed neighbours Shaw.

Replying to Shaw's paltry total of 70, Heyside stormed to their victory target without losing a wicket.

Mid-table Moorside pocketed an impressive win at Micklehurst, while Uppermill were in decent form as they secured victory at Werneth.

Matt Taylor scored 60 and pro Girvacques De Jager 64 as Uppermill batted first and scored 196 for seven.

Werneth were then bowled out for 144 as James Baron took five for 22.

WALSDEN won the Wood Cup final yesterday.

Opponents Rochdale were restricted to 187 for seven after Walsden took first knock and were bowled out for 192.

Results -

Premiership: Austerlands 164 all out, Walsden 71 all out; Crompton 184 all out, Royton 164 all out; Rochdale 292-3 (W Bosisto 145no, A Dawson 79), Glodick 94 all out (F Lenhardt 33, D Highton 6-19); Norden 127 all out (M Smith 34), Littleborough 124 all out (C Schofield 38, M Burns 39); Saddleworth 143 all out, Greenfield 141 all out.

Championship: Ashton 201-7, Milnrow 131 all out; Shaw 70 all out, Heyside 72-0; Micklehurst 43 all out, Moorside 147-6; Stayley 127 all out, Friarmere 92 all out; Uppermill 196-7 (M Taylor 60, G De Jager 64), Werneth 144 all out (J Baron 5-22).

Wood Cup final: Walsden 192 all out, Rochdale 187-7.