Lancashire League: Sunday round-up (3 May 1999)

3 May 1999

Lancashire League: Sunday round-up

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Lloyd Ferreira hit the highest score by a Rawtenstall professional in Lancashire League history to put Church to the sword in a thriller at Bacup Road.

South African Ferreira smashed a dazzling 154 not out - beating Michael Bevan's old mark and falling just two short of the record scored by any Rawtenstall player set by Joey Middleton in the 1940's.

The 24-year-old hit 10 fours and nine sixes in his 134 ball 123 minute knock in a match dominated by the bat.

Church set a testing 257-6 with Phil Sykes (67), Craig Fergusson (61) and professional Neil McGarrell (77 not out).

But Ferreira, who gave a chance on 83, was undaunted by such a huge target and he kept his head to score the winning runs in the final over.

There were more fireworks at Accrington but, this time, from a bowler - Haslingden skipper Stuart Taylor, who returned a stunning 7-6 to destroy the home side.

Haslingden were helped on their way to a respectable 152-9 by a third-wicket stand of 68 between professional Brad McNamara (58) and Paul Blackledge (38). The pro hit seven boundaries.

Damian Clarke (4-52) again displayed his potential for Accrington.

But the home side, who reached 46-1 thanks mainly to pro Mark Bailey (22), collapsed dramatically after he became Taylor's first victim.

The rest of a weak batting line-up could muster only another 21 runs as Taylor wiped them out in a devastating six-over spell.

An excellent game at Centre Vale saw Todmorden hold off Rishton's challenge, with professional Brendan Nash again showing much promise. The young Australian was largely responsible for Todmorden posting a respectable 187-4, holding the innings together with 69. There was excellent support from Mark Clayton (42 not out), who provided some belligerence just when it was needed at the end.

Rishton's reply began steadily and their professional Paul Wiseman (41) looked as though he might lead them to victory.

But Todmorden bowled and fielded tightly to put the pressure on and, in the gathering gloom, Rishton ran out of overs. They needed 26 runs from the last three and, despite a brave effort by John Davies (15 not out), fell short at 180-8.

Burnley maintained their early season challenge with a comfortable five-wicket win over Enfield at Turf Moor.

Professional Anthony Botha picked up three wickets and top-scored with 44 as the home side passed Enfield's disappointing total of 109-9 with 13 overs to spare. Burnley's attack maintained a tight grip throughout, as only Tofeeq Khan with an 87-ball 40 found any fluency.

Sixteen-year-old James Anderson continued his fine start to the campaign with figures of 3-21, including the wicket of professional Dave Saker who was bowled without scoring on his Enfield debut.

The hosts lost an early wicket in skipper Andy McLeod but eased to their third victory as Botha and Chris Swift (20) added 36 for the fourth wicket. Brad White was the Bacup hero as the men from Lanehead won a nailbiting encounter with Nelson at Seedhill. The South African top-scored with 42 as Bacup amassed 165-7 against the league champions, despite sub professional Dave Callaghan - deputising for hamstring victim Roger Harper - snapping up 4-55. Then after Callaghan (60) and Duncan Spencer (41) led the chase, White hit back with 5-55 as Nelson fell three runs short at the death, finishing on 162-8.

There's no stopping East Lancs professional Claude Henderson at the moment after the South African claimed his second 13-wicket haul in successive weekends. After taking 6-29 against Bacup on Saturday, he followed that up with 7-31 to help the men from Alexandra Meadows to a 19-run victory over Colne. Kevin Cullen took 6-42 as East Lancs were ousted for 102. But Henderson and veteran Ian Haworth, with 3-19, struck back to bowl the visitors out for 83.

Lowerhouse (2pts) and Bacup (1pt) have both been deducted points after the league executive reviewed over rates from the opening matches which were rain affected. Rules stipulate that teams must average 16 overs an hour or face a penalty.

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