Lancashire League Sunday round-up (19 July 1999)

19 July 1999

Lancashire League Sunday round-up

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Haslingden turned up the heat on league leaders East Lancs with a thrilling last over victory against fellow title contenders Colne at The Horsfield.

Chasing the home side's mammoth total of 269-5, Hassy pair Andy Smith and Brad McNamara went into Jeff Ellis's final over needing 16 to win.

They only mustered four runs off the first three deliveries but Smith (17 not out) then suddenly went into overdrive and smashed two successive sixes to lead his team home with a ball to spare.

McNamara was left undefeated on 99 at the other end for the second successive weekend!

Earlier in the day, Colne's substitute professional Geoff Foley had led the charge with a stunning century as Gary Laycock's side looked for a repeat of their Worsley Cup semi-final victory over Haslingden.

Foley, who pros for Netherfield, smashed 122, including 18 fours and three sixes, in his 130-ball knock as he and opener Gary Hunt (45) shared a second wicket stand of 187.

But McNamara and Michael Ingham (48) laid the foundations for Smith's late heroics which keeps Haslingden firmly in the title frame.

East Lancs remain top after a seventh wicket stand between Paul Turner and Chris Riley turned the tide in their game against injury-hit Enfield at Dill Hall Lane.

Phil Mercer's men looked in deep trouble at 74-6 until Turner (64) and Riley (27) put on 80 to haul the league leaders up to 177-9. Professional Claude Henderson (4-51) and veteran Ian Haworth (4-17) then did the damage with the ball as the home side were shot out for 97, despite some brave mid-order resistance from Neil Holmes (20) and former East Lancs man Latif Ismail (26).

David Connolly took 5-31 as Burnley collected a maximum points haul at Rawtenstall.

Burnley were well set-up as Ian Whitehead and David Brown both hit 60 in their 207 all out.

Rawtenstall's reply was dependent on sub professional Ottis Gibson.

The former West Indies star moved swiftly on to 64 before falling to Connolly and after his departure the outcome of the game was never in doubt.

Rawtenstall were eventually bowled out for 166 despite a spirited 29 from Mark Roscoe - son of skipper Keith.

A dramatic collapse saw Ramsbottom crash to a seven run defeat against Church at Acre Bottom.

Chasing Church's 172-8, Rammy looked to have victory in their sights needing just eight to win off 15 balls with four wickets in hand.

But Garfield Moreton was run out, professional Matthew Pascoe (47) went a ball later and the home side finished up losing their last four wickets for the addition of just one run as they slumped to another defeat.

Moreton had been the hero earlier in the day claiming 6-60 as Alex Holt (49) and West Indian Neil McGarrell (61) set Church on their way to an imposing total. But Brian Taylor (61) put Rammy right back in it before the panic set in at the death.

New Zealand run-machine Mark Bailey booked himself a place in Lancashire League history yesterday - along with colleague Mahsooq Ahmed.

The Accrington duo shared a club record-breaking stand of 221 against luckless Rishton.

Bailey pulverised the Rishton attack, smashing 18 fours and five sixes on his way to a marvellous 147; Ahmed chipping-in with 62 after Accrington had lost their first two wickets with just 10 runs on the board.

Bailey then found time to pick up a couple of wickets as shell-shocked Rishton were shot out for 134, despite a gallant 68 from John Seedle.

Roger Harper turned in a typically astute all-round performance to guide Nelson to a six-wicket success at Todmorden yesterday.

Harper picked up the wickets of four of Todmorden's top six batsmen and conceded under two an over in a spell of stunning accuracy which left the home side dismissed for a meagre 118.

Harper then got his head down to score an undefeated 50 to guide Nelson home with more than 17 overs to spare. Paul Garaghty also notched up a half century in an emphatic display by the champions.

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