Lancashire League: Okay Jaa! (30 April 1999)

30 April 1999

Lancashire League: Okay Jaa!

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Martin Van Jaarsveld is hoping to laugh all the way to a successful season with Lowerhouse - whatever the weather.

After collecting two wins from their opening three games, and with a home game against struggling Accrington to come tomorrow, there is no reason why a bright start should not continue for both player and club.

What does seem certain is that the West Enders' new South African professional is going to enjoy his first taste of the EW Cartons Lancashire League.

"It's been brilliant so far," he said. "The guys have been looking after me and they have backed me from the word go which doesn't happen at every club.

"It can be hard for a professional in these conditions but you have to earn the respect of your fellow players.

" But I could sense they were with me from the start and I have never laughed so much in my life. There's such a great spirit among the team."

Despite the appalling conditions of the opening couple of weeks, Van Jaarsveld is already starting to make an impression. Although when you are a batsman trying to play strokes on wickets that resemble puddings and an off-spinner struggling to grip the ball, it isn't easy.

Nevertheless, he has already registered his first half-century and five-wicket haul.

It could have been a three-match maximum for the team but Lowerhouse let a winning position slip through their fingers at East Lancs last weekend.

"I thought the conditions changed," said Martin whose team fell foul of East Lancs pro Claude Henderson, a fellow South African he rates highly.

"We put them in and the ball just skidded through. But when we batted it changed and Claude took advantage. I believe he is probably one of two best left-arm spinners in South Africa.

"At first we batted nicely but then I got out and the guys started panicking a bit."

Lowerhouse had East Lancs at 28-6 and, though they got off the hook, the target to chase was still only 101.

Bacup v East Lancs, Church v Burnley, Colne v Rawtenstall, Enfield v Ramsbottom, Haslingden v Todmorden, Lowerhouse v Accrington, Rishton v Nelson.

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