High drama on the GMCL's final day

By Mike Latham

While so much recent debate has centred upon the Strauss Report and the ramifications for English cricket, a simple fact often gets overlooked.

Many people who play or watch the game have little more than a passing interest in the international or county game and far prefer the club circuit.

I fall into that category and with autumn strengthening its grip decided to spend a day watching one of the recently formed leagues, the Greater Manchester Cricket League, known as the GMCL.

On the third Saturday of September, the GMCL reached its conclusion with many matters unresolved until stumps were finally drawn.

Three up and three down in a 12-team league certainly leaves no room for complacency right until the end of the season and means every game counts.

Frairmere entertain Mottram on the last day of the season

Many of the GMCL’s member clubs come from the old Central Lancashire and Saddleworth Leagues, and first up for me was a revisit to the isolated Friarmere ground, on the Delph Road out of Denshaw.

I’d last visited for a Saddleworth League game a decade or so ago and saw an amazingly destructive double hundred by the Bamford Fieldhouse professional Grant Hodnett that day.

My abiding memory was of players and spectators- who included the legendary former West Indies spinner Sonny Ramadhin, who sadly passed away recently- anxiously guarding their cars from Hodnett’s blistering assault and seemingly never-ending barrage of six hits.

This time the action was more sedate for this Championship (third tier) game against visitors Mottram. Mottram struggled to 129 all out and could make little of Friarmere’s left arm spinner Adrian Du Toit, who returned figures of five for 22. Only Zimbabwean Tafadwza Tsiga made much impression on a keen and accurate attack, hitting 35.

Frairmere is a lovely ground and looked in pristine condition. I decided to leave at the tea interval with the issue virtually decided and headed to nearby Shaw. Friarmere went on to win with only three wickets down to confirm their promotion to the second tier.

At Mark Lane, a delightful, postage-stamp sized ground I stumbled across a game of high drama.

High drama at Shaw as Flixton warded off relegation inspired by Marc Stamper

Shaw needed a win to be certain of promotion from Premier League 2 (the second tier), visitors Flixton a win to ward off relegation.

As I arrived Flixton were in the field and looking downcast after being bowled out for 104.

But their left arm spinner, Marc Stamper, was to enjoy a remarkable afternoon, one that he will no doubt savour all winter.

Backed by an increasingly excited and keen fielding side, Stamper had the Shaw batters in all sorts of trouble as he bowled a mesmerising spell.

The pressure grew as the wickets tumbled and Flixton spied their chance of a great escape.

Like rabbits caught in the headlights, Shaw’s batters seemed transfixed by Stamper’s gnawing accuracy and hostility, and the home side slumped to 65 all out. Stamper, engulfed by jubilant teammates at the end, finished with seven for 28 to spearhead his side’s escape from the jaws of relegation. Results elsewhere meant Shaw still earned promotion and so everyone was happy.

Then it was off a few miles downhill to another former Saddleworth League ground at Heyside. Here a high-scoring game against Walshaw in the top tier, the Premier League, was underway.

Heyside have an active social scene and a large crowd was on the side-lines, enjoying the cricket on what had become a warm and sunny afternoon.

Heyside chased down their target inspired by Alcindo Holder’s century

Visitors Walshaw had made 251 and home hopes rested upon a few key players, as several of the side were away at a team-mate’s wedding, arranged before the season without realising the league fixtures would be extended to the third Saturday in September.

Many years ago, I saw Rochdale’s Barbadian pro Alcindo Holder score some majestic runs in the old Central Lancashire League days, and it was great to watch him 15 years or so later still enjoying his cricket and thrilling the crowd.

Holder made a simply breath-taking 110 off only 49 balls with 12 fours and nine sixes and with good support from his team-mates Heyside secured a tense and exciting victory by two wickets with nearly 20 overs to spare.

There was still cricket to be enjoyed and up on the hill above Heyside, Moorside were at home to Roe Green in another Premier League clash.

I was fortunate to watch the closing stages as Roe Green chased down their target of 206 to win by three wickets with four balls remaining.

The winning runs in the final over for Roe Green at Moorside

The GMCL operates a website on Cric HQ which is difficult at first to navigate for those, like me, used to PlayCricket. But it is an extraordinarily informative website, once you get used to it, and the live scores feature is invaluable for groundhoppers.

It was time for home after a great day watching tight and competitive cricket in a league that really impresses me. I’ll review the GMCL season in more depth over the next few weeks.

As far as I'm aware club cricket doesn't get a mention in the Strauss Report. But it remains at the bedrock of the game, providing involvement and purpose, enjoyment and entertainment, fellowship and community, for thousands of enthusiasts. And Saturdays like this sustain one through the winter, ticking off the days, until we can enjoy some more.