Lancashire League: Enfield plan Arthurton assault (1 Aug 1998)

1 August 1998

Enfield plan Arthurton assault

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Enfield skipper Andy Barker believes his team can succeed where most other sides in the EW Cartons Lancashire League have failed and put the brakes on Rawtenstall's run-machine Keith Arthurton.

Confident that they are capable of improving on last season's third place and still in with a title shout, Barker revealed that Enfield have devised a special plan to halt Arthurton's march to 1,000 runs.

The West Indies star is less than 150 away from that particular target and bang in form as he prepares to face Enfield at Bacup Road tomorrow.

But Barker reckons he will have to wait before taking another significant step towards four figures.

"Yes, we have a plan but I am not prepared to tell you what it is," said the Enfield skipper.

"He got a ton against us earlier in the season when he was the difference between the sides and he also got a ton last Sunday and is in good form.

"But we are confident Otis (Gibson) or one of the other bowlers will get him.

"With the way the weather is and the state of the wickets, we think we can knock him over cheaply and then make inroads into the rest of their batting.

"I am sure we will get a chance and we must take it, because he is one of those players who will punish you." With Enfield pro Gibson now starting to fire, Barker refuses to accept that leaders Nelson are untouchable at the top.

"Nelson are in the box seat, no doubt about that but we are confident," he added.

"We have had more washouts than all the other top teams and we are coming to the time where captains must gamble and put their money where their mouth is.

"But we are up for it.

"A lot of it comes down to the professional and we suffered earlier in the season when Otis had a back injury but I think he will start running through sides.

"We have a tough run-in but we tend to come good towards the end of the season and can do it even under this format.

"I think we have more bowling options than any of the other sides except East Lancs, who are on a par with us.

"And that's not taking anything away from the Nelson lads who have given their pro good support.

"We think we still have a chance."

Tomorrow's games: Accrington v Bacup; Church v East Lancs; Colne v Ramsbottom; Haslingden v Nelson; Lowerhouse v Todmorden; Rishton v Burnley; Rawtenstall v Enfield.

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