AUSTERLANDS CRICKET Club are back from the brink of extinction after being hit by a shock £8,000 tax bill.
They are one of five clubs from the Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League to be investigated by HMRC.
It was for unpaid National Insurance and other liabilities over a six-year period.
However, after talks with the tax authorities, Austerlands have managed to agree a substantial reduction.
“It has caused shock waves around the league knowing the tax man might drop in at any time, though it seems to be happening widespread throughout cricket leagues in which clubs employ overseas professionals,” explained League secretary Trevor Harrison.
BAMFORD Fieldhouse have lodged an appeal following their expulsion from the Tanner Cup, £500 fine and ban from the competition for the next three years.
They failed to turn up for a rearranged first-round tie at Droylsden because it clashed with a match they had scheduled in the Lancashire Knockout.
WHALLEY Range, from the Manchester Association, will be playing in the Saddleworth League in 2014.
The League’s executive committee recommended they be accepted and this was endorsed by clubs at the June League meeting of clubs.
The election of Whalley Range, who Saddleworth League chairman Eddie Bayliss described as a “very progressive club,” increases membership to 15 clubs.
FORMER Saddleworth League player Kyle Hogg starred as Lancashire bowled out Essex for just 20 runs in their LV County Championship match.
The Greenfield seam bowler claimed four wickets for 11 runs and Glen Chapple five for nine as Essex were bowled out in 14.2 overs in just 66 minutes.
