Lancashire League: Fallon foiled at the finish (2 June 1997)

June 2 1997

Fallon foiled at the finish

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

WHALLEY captain Mark Fallon just failed in a bid to lift his side into the semiÐfinal of the Vaux Ramsbottom Cup yesterday.

Fallon scored 93 to set up a tight finish to their clash with Ribblesdale Wanderers, but David Howarth picked up five wickets for 35 runs as the visitors were dismissed 11 runs shot of their target at the start of the final over.

Edenfield also made it through to the semiÐfinal stage with victory over Baxenden, John Ashley (51) top scored for Edenfield, with Mark Rishton (58) leading the way for Baxenden.

Great Harwood`s strong batting lineÐup let them down against Barnoldswick. The home side collapsed to 148 all out allowing the Victory Park side to race to a seven wicket win.

Andy Dickinson scored 58 for Harwood, but Barnoldswick professional Bruce Hara (58) and Justin Manville (74) who saw their side to a comfortable win.

The semiÐfinals, on June 22 will be Cherry Tree v Edenfield and Barnoldswick v Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Great Harwood are clear at the top of the league after a 99Ðrun victory over Settle. The Dalesmen were dismissed for 67 with Paul Newton taking five wickets for just four runs.

Clitheroe professional Jonathan Fielding was left holding his head in despair after a missing a simple run out chance which allowed Earby to tie their game at the Applegarth.

The Ribble Valley side set a target of 168Ð9, and after 87 from Nigel Pickles Earby were left needing nine runs to win off the last over, with eight wickets down. It came down to the last delivery of the match, needing two to win, when 19ÐyearÐold Andy Rushton dropped the ball almost straight to Fielding and he missed the sticks as the batsmen scampered home for a single.

Cherry Tree kept their chase at the top on track after professional Naeem Ashraf took 6Ð40 against Baxenden.

Padiham professional Mark Harvey was in hardÐhitting form with 103 not out against Edenfield, and was backed up by Andy Hall 64 as they claimed an eight wicket win. Edenfield professional John Ashley (80) top scored as they reached 195Ð9.

Read`s dream of league honours suffered a blow when they were beaten by Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Roger Watson (55) and Matthew Lawrence (51) set up the win and Andy Hornsby`s five wickets made certain.

Blackburn Northern professional Chetan Sharma (57) led the attack for Blackburn Northern against Ribblesdale, but was overtaken by Bromley (99) as they set a target of 224Ð4. The home side slipped to 74Ð4 as their chance of victory evaporated.

Mark Fallon rattled up 59 at Whalley set Barnoldswick a target of 181Ð5, but the visitors` rockÐsolid opener Ian Scothern, batted throughout their innings for 95no and was backed up by Justin Manville 46no as they claimed a nine wicket win.

Scores (League): Cherry Tree 100Ð3 (7 points), Baxenden 97; Earby 158Ð8 (3), Clitheore 168Ð9 (3); Edenfield 195Ð9, Padiham 199Ð2 (5); Oswaldtwistle Imm 233Ð6 (5), Read 182Ð9; Ribblesdale Wdrs 168Ð8, Blackburn Northern 224Ð4 (5); Settle 67, Gt Harwood 166Ð8 (7); Whalley 181Ð5, Barnoldswick 183Ð1 95).

Vaux Ramsbottom Cup: Great Harwood 148, Barnoldswick 149Ð3; Edenfield 199, Baxenden 173; Ribblesdale Wdrs 199Ð8, Whalley 188. Bye: Cherry Tree.

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