Lancashire League: Saturday round-up (9 June 1997)

9 June 1997

Saturday Lancashire League round-up

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

GARY Laycock's splendid 98 paved the way for Colne's victory over Rawtenstall at the Horsfield. Laycock was stumped off the final ball of the innings just two short of his maiden century.

But skipper Gary Hunt, who played an anchor role to Layock with 66 and helped pile on 151 for the fourth wicket, said: "He batted brilliantly and it was one of the best innings seen at the ground this season.

"We lost the professional quite early and we were 37-3. So to post a 200 plus score was a terrific effort."

Rawtenstall's target was reduced to 216 due to rain, but they still finished 20 short.

Skipper Glen Barlow top scored for Rawtenstall with a gutsy 56 while Glyn Sedman landed four wickets, including the scalp of Australian professional Ian Hewett for 27.

Church benefitted from the rain interruptions against Burnley, eventually set a reduced target of 111 in 29 overs.

Burnley batted first and had Tush Mahambrey, who smashed 74 in 73 balls, to thank for their total of 162-9.

Church cruised to their new target, Mark Aspin top scoring with 39 in a total of 114-3.

Professional Brandan Creevey followed up his 4-52 with an unbeaten 29 not out.

Lowerhouse were saved by the rain against Accrington when they were bowled out for a paltry 52 on a difficult track.

"It was almost impossible to score," admitted Lowerhouse batsman Stan Heaton.

Accrington were then frustrated by the weather in their bid for glory.

They had made 38 for no wicket when a shower forced them off. Their target was further reduced to 42 but as they were about to resume the heavens opened again and no further play was possible. "They probably felt robbed," admitted Heaton. "But in the first game we bowled them out for 90-odd so we know how they feel."

A middle order revival pulled East Lancs round from 28-4 to an eventually respectable total of 188-7.

Andy Clague was the hero of the hour with 60 while Phil Mooney (22) and Nas Iqbal (27) piled on the pressure with an unbeaten eigth wicket partnership of 42.

Jon Nuttallwas the most successful Bacup bowler with 4-80 from his 20 overs.

Ian Haworth was on fire for the visitors, finishing with stunning figures of 5-22 from 8.4 overs as Bacup were skittled for 69.

Professional Billy Stelling weighed in with 4-30 from his 13 overs.

Todmorden kicked off a brilliant weekend with the shock of the Saturday.

South African Frans Cronje was the mainstay of the Todmorden innings with 96 including two sixes and 11 fours in a total of 203-6 from 42 overs.

And Cronje made it a terrific all-round performance with 7-55 from 18.4 overs as Haslingden were bowled out for 137, only Mark Griffin coming to terms with the Todmorden attack with 36.

Rain prevented a result at Blackburn Road where Rishton had reached 46-0 off 11.1 overs in reply to Nelson's 158-7 off 44.

Duncan Spencer made a fine 72, seven fours and one six, before being bowled by Robbie Walsh who claimed four victims.

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