Lancashire League News (21 July 1997)

21 July 1997

Golden Brown!

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

* Lancashire League - Colne 197- Burnley 201-2

ALTHOUGH he failed to make a deserved century, Michael Brown may yet look on his innings against Colne as a coming of age.

There have been better batting performances perhaps by the 17-year-old Burnley opener, who is now clearly prospering after being introduced to the Lancashire League at a green 15.

But he has never led from the front, gutted it out when it was needed to transform an increasingly bleak situation, quite like he did yesterday at The Horsfield.

It was an innings Colne captain Gary Hunt graciously described as "class" and one Burnley fans will know brought them back into a game they looked likely to lose.

The Colne total was hardly overwhelming on a good, fast track, about 20 short of what Hunt would have been completely satisfied with though he declared himself "happy enough".

But he would have been delighted when Burnley were curtailed to just 36 in the first 18 overs and by the stark statistic that, with 25 overs remaining, the visitors required six an over to take the game. He might have been less optimistic if he had been aware of the fact that, as a raw 17-year-old, Michael Brown's great uncle, Fred, took 66 wickets in the Lancashire League for the Turf Moor club before giving up cricket to become a virologist (studying viruses and the diseases they cause).

For Michael was about to follow in Fred's footsteps - granted with the bat, but having the same corrosive effect on Colne as the ailments Fred devoted his post-cricket life trying to produce antidotes to.

Together with Phil Edmondson he battled to 71 for the first wicket, before the introduction of professional Dale Benkenstein, still unable to bowl because of spasms in his back. The South African's nippy 49 contributed to an important stand with Brown of 110 for the second wicket.

But it was a fortunate shot over mid-off's head early into his innings that Brown described as the turning point.

"I was about 30 and mid-off walked in three or four yards before I a shot which just cleared his head and went for four runs," recalled Brown.

"And I knew I was lucky with an lbw decision off Ben Johnson - they were confident when they appealed and I thought, 'That's close!' "But after that I worked it round quite well and the secret was how we ran between the wickets because I only had 10 boundaries."

Earlier Johnson, the Colne professional who seems to be slipping neatly into top form, had also bladed 10 boundaries in a superb 68 before being skittled by David Shorrock.

At that stage Colne were on 122-2 with 16 overs remaining and in a commanding position.

But Shorrock was to claim three more victims, as did David Connolly with only Laycock and Woods keeping the run-rate ticking over for the home team.

Still, it was not a particularly relishing prospect for Burnley having to chase almost 200 runs.

But they managed it, the only criticism from captain Peter Brown - Michael's father - was their slow progress at the start of their reply.

"Chasing 200 is never easy especially when you've got to just 35 or 36 after 18 overs," he said. "We didn't play very well in the early part. But we picked up the tempo and performed well in the middle third of our innings.

"We still have a long way to go in terms of learning how to win the tight matches but this was a satisfying win."

For Colne, it was a case of an opportunity lost.

"With East Lancs losing, we failed to capitalise," he said. "But we play Burnley again next week so there's a quick chance for revenge."

* HASLINGDEN consolidated their position at the top of the league with a hard-fought victory over champions Rishton at Blackburn Road, reaching 184-8 before bowling Rishton out for 167.

Without captain Mark Griffin, Haslingden had to share out the leadership responsibilities.

Professional Gordon Parsons from Leicestershire did his bit with a fine 60 not out as did Steve Dearden, who made 35 before being trapped leg before by Russell Whalley.

Meyrick Pringle took four Haslingden wickets but was expensive.

But it was with the bat that Rishton failed, dropping wickets at regular intervals.

Only Craig Smith and Jonathan Dobson made inroads but they failed to stay at the crease.

East Lancs were dealt a body blow at Acre Bottom, slumping to 156-9 in reply to Ramsbottom's 185-4.

New Zealander Chris Harris, the Ramsbottom professional, made a tremendous 97 that decimated the East Lancs attack.

But it was Chris Hall's five wickets and the tight bowling of the home side that was crucial.

In 23 overs Harris conceded only 63 runs, taking two wickets.

David Pearson made 61 before being bowled by Hall but Billy Stelling failed to add anything substantial, being caught and bowled by Hall for eight.

A captain's innings from Peter Thompson and six wickets from professional James Peterson helped Bacup to victory at Centre Vale. They were bowled out for 169 but contained Todmorden to 148-9 in reply.

They were also helped by the dry wicket which deteriorated as the game progressed. "It played well for an hour and then the top went," said Todmorden's Brian Heywood.

The fall of Bacup wickets throughout their middle order would seem to support this and also the early wickets that fell for Todmorden.

But Bacup's collapse was incredible, tumbling from 80-0 after 20, 121-1 after 31 and 154-2 after 37 to 169 all out with two overs left.

In the last seven overs they lost eight wickets for 15 runs!

Todmorden were 50-4 with professional Frans Cronje out for three. But Heywood and Mark Clayton got it to 91-4 before being eliminated.

With them went Todmorden's chances.

A battling unbeaten 101 from skipper Glen Barlow wasn't enough to save Rawtenstall from a home defeat against a Peter Sleep inspired Accrington.

Barlow and Pat Rush (48) shared a stand of 120 to rescue Rawtenstall from 65-6 and they set a respectable 188-8, with Sleep taking 4-77. Sleep then carried his bat for 87, sharing an opening stand of 105 with Heins (51) as Accrington cruised to a six-wicket victory.

A batting collapse - somewhat eased by the home side's generosity in handing out extras - left Church defending a total of 146 at Dill Hall Lane. Enfield eased to 150-2 in reply to claim maximum points.

Brendan Creevey was out for a duck and it didn't improve for Church.

They did mount a rally from 94-8 but it was a rearguard action.

Andy Barker, with 14 fours, contributed to a first wicket partnership of 135 and made 85 not out in total.

Liam Jackson had seven fours in his 44.

Half centuries by Paul Garaghty and Marcus Phelan set up victory for Nelson who made 179-8 before curtailing Lowerhouse to 141-7.

Both made 53 while professional Alan Dawson added a handy 34 more.

He then took four wickets as Lowerhouse failed to gain a foothold.

Stan Heaton top-scored for the home side with 34.