Title glory is up for grabs

Photo: Paul Sterritt

BIG ACHIEVEMENT . . . Saddleworth's Brian Lord

WILL it be Walsden or Saddleworth for the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League Premiership title - and can Heyside repel the challenge of Stayley and Milnrow to seal Champioinship glory?

The final day of the season promises to be a real cracker.

In the Premiership, Saddleworth will look to local rivals Greenfield to do them a big favour tomorrow. Chris Gill's team go to Walsden, who lead by two points.

If Greenfield can turn the form book upside down ­- they will have the assistance of Haslingden's Babar Naeem as deputy professional ­- all eyes will be on Well-i-Hole, where Saddleworth take on Glodwick.

Rest assured the visitors, with paid man Rehan Rafiq in their ranks, won't be going through the motions. They need a point to avoid being dragged into a play-off to retain their Premiership status.

For Brian Lord's Saddleworth, to be in a position where they can win the title, if Walsden slip-up, is some achievement.

Skipper Lord said: "We've surprised ourselves and everyone else as well, as people thought the Saddleworth League clubs would struggle.

"At the start, our aim was always just to stay in the division."

Heyside are in the box seat for Championship honours, but they must be on their guard.

Hosts Ashton still have a chance of finishing third, which would see them meet the third-bottom team in the Premiership on Saturday week for the opportunity to play in the top flight next season.

Stayley probably have the easiest task, at home to Hollinwood.

Tomorrow's fixtures ­-

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

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

All matches start at noon.