Lancashire League: Juliff takes over the Accrington crown (30 May 1998)

30 May 1998

Juliff takes over the Accrington crown

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

A WIN over local rivals Enfield tomorrow would be the perfect way for Steve Juliff to kick-start his reign as Accrington captain.

Juliff has taken over at the helm from Bill Rawstron who has been forced to hang up his bat because of work commitments.

And though Juliff's first game was marked by a defeat at Bacup which sent Accrington to the bottom of the Lancashire League last Sunday, victory at home to their near neighbours could transform the fortunes of the Thorneyholme Road club.

Rawstron has played for Accrington since he was 11 - bar one season with Morecambe - and bowed out after the recent game with Rishton when he broke a toe.

His decision was unconnected to the injury, however, and he admitted that he should perhaps have called it a day in the winter with his work piling up as a partner with law firm Walkers.

"Something had to give and work comes first," he said. "I am very sorry and took the decision reluctantly. It's something I have been thinking about for a long time and my heart will always be there.

"I think that's it now for playing but I will help out if I can."

Rawstron, an opening batsman who had also kept wicket for the club, is certain that the first team's fortunes are in good hands with opening bowler Juliff.

He added: "You could not have asked for a better man for the job and I wish him all the best.

"We have not played very well but with Steve at the helm I am sure things will get better."

With 34-year-old Rawstron calling it a day, professional Ryan Campbell moved up from number three to open the batting last week.

And the hard-hitting Australian knows he needs to produce the goods against Enfield who led the way early in the season but have slipped to fifth in the table after last weekend's defeat to Rawtenstall. Campbell has passed 50 just once in the league despite some promising starts but did make a big ton in the inter-league cup.

He said: "I need to make a big score and with Paul Barratt in good form I am sure we can post big total.

"Ever since I arrived at Accrington I have heard about the rivalry there is with Enfield and I am looking forward to the game.

"I think we have been competitive this season without being great. We must stop Ottis Gibson because he is very dangerous with the bat and ball."

Gibson certainly is a match-winner. One of Enfield's two victories came against table-toppers Nelson when Gibson scored 89 not out and took 6-35.

The Barbadian all-rounder, who played for Glamorgan from 1994-96, has also scored two centuries this summer and prior to blotting his copybook with a duck last weekend was second top in the league averages.

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

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