Cricket: Wood Lane hit by further points deduction

WOOD Lane remain in relegation trouble after suffering a further points deduction for breaking league regulations.

The Megacre club were docked four points after replacement professional Atif Sheikh bowled eight overs – instead of the permitted seven in a spell for an under-19 player – in their game against Burslem on August 21.

INJURY BLOW: Ashar Zaidi will be a big loss to Wood Lane in their fight to avoid the drop into Division One.

The league's regulatory board handed down the minimum punishment possible at a meeting on Thursday after accepting that Sheikh was not a regular club member and that this may have contributed to the error.

Third-bottom Wood Lane, who have opted not to appeal against the decision, were docked 14 points earlier in the season after fielding ineligible Nottinghamshire all-rounder Andre Adams against Moddershall in June.

The latest deduction leaves them just 19 points above the relegation zone heading into tomorrow's penultimate game against Moddershall.

Danny Brierley's side are also missing all-rounder Ashar Zaidi, who will not play again this season because of injury.

Meanwhile, five defeats and one draw in their last six games leaves bottom side Moddershall facing relegation. They are 34 points from safety.

Second-bottom Elworth have strung together a seven-match unbeaten run which has given them hope of escaping.

They host Porthill Park tomorrow, who virtually guaranteed their safety with victory over Wood Lane last weekend.

Hem Heath have picked up just 10 points from their last two outings and need another win to ensure they don't fall into the bottom two.

They entertain third-placed Audley, who still have a slim chance of winning the title, although they are 40 points adrift of leaders Little Stoke.

Barlaston's poor form has seen them go from contenders to relegation candidates.

Seven matches without a win has seen them slide to within 36 points of the drop zone.

Leading run-scorer Qumar Khan is missing from the side to face a Longton team who have moved up to fifth.

Stone host Knypersley in a preview of the Staffordshire Cup final which takes place at Tunstall Road on Sunday.