Lancashire League: Ace Corrie is streets ahead (30 May 1997)

30 May 1997

Ace Corrie is streets ahead

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

CORRIE Jordaan has been the sensation of the Lancashire League season so far but, in tomorrow's Jennings Worsley Cup second round, he comes up against a man he expects to make a huge impact on a far greater stage - Burnley professional Dale Benkenstein. The draw which sends Lowerhouse to Turf Moor to face traditional rivals Burnley also pits Eastern Transvaal's Jordaan against Natal's Benkenstein.

And, while Lowerhouse pro Jordaan believes his opponent is bound for the very top of the international game, he is hoping to peg him back a shade tomorrow.

"I know Dale very well and I believe he will be a future captain of South Africa," he said. "He is the youngest-ever captain of a county in South Africa and Natal have won all the trophies. There's a very big future ahead of him. He is rated very highly at home and I believe he will take over from Hansie Cronje in a couple of years. But I have to try to set him back a little bit tomorrow."

Less than two weeks ago, Burnley won a league clash between the two sides and Jordaan said: "It's a normal game for me, because every game is a big one and I always want to win. But I know it's special for the other guys.

"When Lowerhouse and Burnley meet it's all about tradition.

"But in the first game we were on top for three-quarters of the time and then lost it in the last 10 overs.

"Dale bowled us out and we batted very badly. But we have worked very hard on our batting since then.

"We have been doing overtime, practising on Wednesdays as well as Tuesday and Thursday, and I am very happy with the response from the team, it has been brilliant.

"I am bowling well at the moment, coming from a good season back home, and the wickets here help me, because in South Africa they are much flatter. "I learned at home to bowl a good line and length, otherwise you get slaughtered."

There are no forecasts, however, about the outcome of tomorrow's derby from a man who has already made it plain he wants to return to Lowerhouse and has picked up 35 wickets in league games alone so far.

"It's still early days and I don't want to shoot my mouth off," he said. "You never know what's going to happen, one-day cricket can go either way and there's no second chance.

"I think we have a fairly good side and we are working hard. The guys are very keen to play and we are ready for Burnley. Let's hope it goes well for us."

Holders Ramsbottom couldn't face much tougher opposition than East Lancashire, but they do have home advantage.

The Acre Bottom team's hopes of retaining their trophy will rest largely with New Zealand professional Chris Harris and, with East Lancs in fine form at the moment, it could be a cup classic.

Rishton desperately need progress, after a faltering start to their title defence. And, even though they were beaten at Werneth on Monday, a couple of key players, Craig Smith and John Wharton, displayed a welcome return to form.

They include new signing Andy Booth from Ribblesdale League club Clitheroe as they prepare to face Todmorden at Blackburn Road.

Todmorden are one of three Lancashire League sides who retain an interest in the inter-league challenge with the CLL clubs.

The other two, Haslingden and Nelson, meet at Bentgate in a repeat of their league game earlier this month.

Haslingden won that one and will start as firm favourites tomorrow. They have a formidable line-up but Nelson, who had a first round bye along with Rishton, need to make up for another disappointing start in the league.

Draw for the quarter finals (1-15pm start) is: Burnley v Lowerhouse; Haslingden v Nelson; Ramsbottom v East Lancs; Rishton v Todmorden

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)