Three-way battle for title heats up

IN THE MIX . . . Saddleworth's Imran Aslam is in form

ORGANISERS of the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League could not have wished for a more exciting conclusion to the inaugural season.

With three matches to go, Premiership and Championship honours are still very much in the melting pot. Realistically, in the top flight, it is any one from three clubs as leaders Walsden, Saddleworth and Littleborough gather themselves for the final push.

The Championship is equally as tight, with pace-setters Heyside, Stayley and Milnrow separated by a handful of points.

Throw into the mix the scrap to avoid the drop from the Premiership and local cricket-watchers have plenty to look forward to over the next week or so if the weather plays fair.

Brian Lord's Saddleworth have done well to put themselves within striking distance of Walsden. The Well-i-Hole club, aided by professional Imran Aslam's 90 not out, beat Littleborough by six wickets on Bank Holiday Monday.

A performance at least equal to the one produced at Hare Hill is required tomorrow as they head to fourth-placed Norden.

It is Royton at home 24 hours later, with the visitors desperate to get out of the second automatic relegation spot.

For Walsden, they hit the road to already doomed Middleton tomorrow, while Littleborough entertain Austerlands.

Heyside are gearing up for some weekend in the Championship.

Ryan Barnes' men could be crowned as champions by Sunday evening if results go their way.

First up is the visit of second-placed Stayley. On Sunday, it is the other top three team, Milnrow, who head to Little Hey Street.

After missing out on promotion last season in the old Central Lancashire League, Heyside will be going all out to make no mistake this time.

Fixtures (start noon) ­-

Saturday, Premiership: Glodwick v Crompton; Greenfield v Royton; Littleborough v Austerlands; Middleton v Walsden; Monton and Weaste; Norden v Saddleworth.

Championship: Heyside v Stayley; Hollinwood v Werneth; Micklehurst v Uppermill; Milnrow v Friarmere; Moorside v Shaw; Oldham v Ashton.

Sunday, Premiership: Austerlands v Norden; Crompton v Monton and Weaste; Glodwick v Greenfield; Littleborough v Middleton; Saddleworth v Royton; Walsden v Rochdale.

Championship: Ashton v Friarmere; Heyside v Milnrow; Hollinwood v Micklehurst; Stayley v Moorside; Uppermill v Shaw; Werneth v Oldham.