English League Roundup: Stewart delivers maximum effort (11 May 1999)

11 May 1999

English League Roundup: Stewart delivers maximum effort

Andrew Collomosse

Mark Stewart wrote his name into the Bolton League record books when he became the 18th player in the league's 69-year history to claim all 10 wickets.

Stewart achieved the feat for Greenmount in a 129-run victory over Little Lever, taking 10 for 46 from 12 overs after South African Craig Norris had guided Greenmount to 224 for seven with an undefeated 109.

Stewart, a former Oldham footballer who plays for the Bolton League representative side, was near unplayable on a day when Tonge professional Iqbal Sikander claimed seven wickets for 10 runs against Horwich.

Wigan batsman Tim Sawyer came within one lusty blow of a place in the annals of the Liverpool Competition in a Trophy game against Fleetwood Hesketh. After striking the first five balls of an over for six, he was caught off the final delivery going for the big hit.

By that time he had scored 135, including 13 sixes and five fours, from 83 balls and his runs came off just 48 scoring strokes. It was to no avail, however, as rain stopped play before the start of Fleetwood Hesketh's reply to Wigan's formidable 221 for six.

Across the Pennines, three major cup holders bit the dust in the opening game of the defence of their trophy.

Huddersfield League front-runners Elland were defeated by Section B side Honley in game that went into a second day because of bad weather. Chasing 86 for victory, Honley needed 20 to win with four wickets standing when play resumed and, thanks to an unbeaten 50 from opener Andrew Fraine, they got home by one wicket.

Champions Meltham, who have won the Sykes Cup five times in the last seven years, also went out against Linthwaite.

Townville, holders of the Central Yorkshire League Jack Hampshire Trophy, fell at the first fence, although their defeat by champions Gomersal cannot be regarded as a major shock.

Yorkshire Board all-rounder Steve Foster was once again the mainstay of Gomersal's effort, scoring 70 in 146 for four before claiming three wickets for 13 runs in a 36-run success.

And in the Airedale and Wharfedale League Waddilove Cup, holders Knaresborough were on the receiving end against Division Two side Skipton, who restricted them to 96 for seven before former Bradford League captain Chris Gott eased them to victory with five wickets to spare.

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