Lancashire League: Aspin leaves them gaspin' (12 July 1999)

12 July 1999

Lancashire League: Aspin leaves them gaspin'

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

You could have said, quite legitimately, that Church were ill-prepared.

Propping up the Lancashire League, without a win since mid-May, shot out for 46 hours beforehand - hardly the sort of build-up for a visit from Rawtenstall, or anyone else for that matter.

They were also haunted by memories.

Memories of a nightmarish nature, memories of "that" innings.

For, you see, the last time Church locked horns with Rawtenstall the opposing professional Lloyd Ferreira had helped himself to the sort of a knock most batsmen are lucky to enjoy once a decade, if not a career.

An innings, 154 not out, including sixes and fours in equal batches of 10. Rumour has it that some of those wearing the Church colours that particular afternoon still lie awake at night counting balls crossing boundaries.

However, the aforementioned South African was nowhere to be seen yesterday.

Ferreira is back in his homeland nursing a tennis elbow. He won't be returning either, not this summer at any rate.

Glum news for the player and his club, but reasons for cheer amongst opponents, especially those who once smarted on the receiving end.

For Church it resembled a timely tonic and a good all-round show from them, coupled with a woeful effort from Rawtenstall, made it a happy day all round for Mark Aspin and Co.

Skipper Aspin knew how much his outfit needed a win but he could hardly have hoped for such a straightforward one.

Fitting too that Aspin should play the starring role, a boundary bonanza of a knock just when home nerves could have frayed at 38-2 chasing 107 and with professional Neil McGarrell back in the pavilion. But cool head Aspin found an equally resilient partner in Phil Sykes and Church cantered home. Earlier, only a brave innings from Peter Hanson stood in the way of a major collapse by Rawtenstall, the opener scoring 35 before a poor shot ended things. Jamie Carter joined in too until he became one of four victims for McGarrell.

A total of 106 never looked like being anywhere near enough particularly when Alec Holt got Church off to a flyer before being caught by Hanson off substitute professional Andrew Payne with the score on 35.

Three runs later McGarrell joined him, lbw to Payne, and there was visible twitchiness among the home ranks.

No one needed to have worried though as Aspin clocked up an undefeated 58 and won the game with a beautiful four through extra cover.

His celebration at the end was akin to Mark Taylor's on route to the World Cup Final with Australia. Wonder if anybody put a call in to South Africa afterwards to fill in the details to Ferreira?

Source :: The Lancashire Evening Telegraph