Austin bowls double six (4 May 1999)

4 May 1999

Austin bowls double six

Andrew Collomosse

West Indian all-rounder Melbourne Austin made a remarkable return to the Saddleworth League as Heyside opened their championship campaign with two victories.

Austin, who earned himself a sizeable reputation in Saddleworth before joining Walsden of the Central Lancashire, claimed six for 16 as Heyside defeated Friarmere by 141 runs, Glen Dawson contributing 108 not out to their total of 216 for two.

And Austin performed even better in the second match of the Bank Holiday weekend, proving far too strong for East Levenshulme with figures of six for 13.

The opposition were bundled out for just 38, leaving Heyside to cruise to a nine-wicket success.

Shaw's Mark Conway took eight for 51 against Saddleworth and there was a famous name among the wickets as Friarmere made up for the opening disappointment by beating Stayley, Craig Ramadhin claiming six for 54.

There was precious little joy for the bowlers, however, in the Ribblesdale League game between Cherry Tree and Settle, which yielded a remarkable 564 runs for the loss of only nine wickets.

Paul Reed led the way with 111 not out as Cherry Tree piled up a league record 320 for four, Nayeem Ashraf missing out on three figures by a single run. But Surendra Bhave and Roger Hill shared an opening stand of 187 in reply before Settle ran out of steam with Bhave unbeaten on 139. The previous record of 319 was also held by Cherry Tree. The match aggregate was also a record.

There was some more explosive hitting from Vernon Dumas, Shotley Bridge's professional in the Tyneside Senior League. Dumas, who hails from Dominica, hammered a century off only 60 deliveries, including 10 sixes and seven fours, as Shotley Bridge compiled 246 for five en route to a 77-run win over Lintz. And there was an impressive all-round performance from Tim Brown, newly-installed as Backworth's professional in the Northumberland County League. Brown, a Northumberland Minor Counties player who has moved from County Club, scored 114 and took five for 15 in his side's 59-run win over Benwell.

Haidar Jahangir continued his run spree in the South Riding League with his second successive century as Wickersley maintained their 100 per cent record with a 120-run win over Darfield.

They also defeated last season's champions Elsecar by 45 runs in the super cup competition to cement their place among the championship favourites.

In the Bradford League there was a splendid unbeaten 159, with 10 sixes and 18 fours, for Murphy Walwyn as East Bierley amassed 316 for four against Pudsey Congs, who slumped to a 181-run defeat.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)