Austerlands Suffer Double Defeat
Uppermill professional Aslam. (all pictures: Neil Cadd)
Austerlands were beaten in both the Tanner Cup and the Saddleworth League over the weekend, going down to Uppermill and Stayley respectively. With a report, here’s Neil Cadd:
ON SATURDAY, AUSTERLANDS WON THE TOSS and asked Uppermill to bat. Trying to bowl out Uppermill for a low score was the rationale behind this decision, but the threat of Imran Aslam meant that the Austerlands bowling attack had to be on top form.
Uppermill got off to a good start with Aslam (35) the first wicket to fall with the score on 61. Uppermill’s McVeigh (35) and Baron (53) pushed the score along and with everyone chipping in they reached 239/7 from their allotted overs.
Austerlands started well before losing Dufeu for 28. They then lost three quick wickets including Farhat who holed out at deep square leg for a disappointing 12, and Aslam hadn’t yet bowled a ball. Robinson did the damage ending with figures of 4-22, Austerlands finally being bowled out for 109.
In Sunday’s game, Young won the toss again and put Stayley in on another wet wicket. With rain reducing the match to 39 overs per side and the threat of rain during the early part of the match it was important to get a good start.
Unfortunately this was not the case, some slightly loose bowling and probably the shortest boundary in the league (24 yards) saw Stayley rattle along with their professional JP Lee (89) and Barrow (85) making the most of the opportunity. Backed up by some late hitting from Adnan, Staley reached 262 off their 39 overs.
Not a daunting task if Farhat was in a mind to make up for the defeat at Uppermill, and given the short boundary. But when Farhat was clean bowled by his fellow countryman Adnan, Stayley felt the game was won. However, some good knocks from Peters and a belligerent 78 from captain Young who, after a trip to the hospital, found he had batted with a badly broken finger, managed to get Austerlands through the 200 mark and pick up five valuable batting points as they ended up all out for 211.
Not the best weekend Austerlands have ever had and following last week’s euphoria at beating Bamford they were well and truly brought back down to earth with a bump.
Thanks to Neil for the pictures and report. Other results from the weekend can be viewed at the league’s website here.
More coverage of local cricket from Saddleworth News can be seen here.
McVeigh drives another boundary.
Uppermill's Aslam is trapped lbw.
Uppermill put pressure on the Austerlands openers.
Stayley professional Lee hits a six.
Stayley's Adnan at the crease.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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