Ribblesdale League: Gee in swing for a treble (11 Sep 1998)

11 September 1998

Gee in swing for a treble

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Oldest swinger in town Stephen Gee will complete an amazing milestone if Padiham clinch the Ribblesdale League title tomorrow.

The long-term league leaders need just two points from their final game at home to Great Harwood to succeed.

And the 50-year-old bowler would then become the first Padiham player to win three championship medals.

Not bad going considering his first win came 32 years ago!

Gee was a key member of the title winning sides of 1966 and 1995, straddling a wealth of experience in the local leagues including seven years as Earby professional.

And his 42 wickets, at a miserly 465 runs, have been a major cog in this year's Padiham wheel.

Gee, however, is less concerned about averages than runs conceded per over.

That is currently well below three and, bowling on the tiny Padiham ground, is no mean feat.

He said: "That's what it's all about in overs cricket.

"Anyway, that doesn't matter - it's about the team winning the league.

"To win it this year would show that the 1995 success was not a flash in the pan."

Padiham have a quaint tradition of ringing an old bell on the Arbories when the title is won.

Coincidentally, bell keeper, grounsman and former player Bob Bailey, is due to celebrate his birthday tomorrow.

Whether there is double cause for celebration is in the hands of captain Neal Anderson, pro Mark Harvey and the Padiham players.

Both Clitheroe, who travel to Blackburn Northern, and Ribblesdale Wanderers at Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, need maximum points to have a chance of sneaking in through the back door should Padiham lose.

That means a 'no result' or even a loss with bonus points for bowling out Harwood, would be sufficient for Padiham.

But Gee, who intends to play for one more year, wants to finish this season in style.

He said: "We would rather win it on the field of play and we are going out to win the game.

"I am sure that Clitheroe will get seven points against Blackburn Northern and I have always rated Clitheroe as the most dangerous side because of their run-in.

"But Ribblesdale's opponents, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, are going through a transitional period and trying to blood some youngsters.

"So we can't afford any slip-ups."

Gee attributes much of the success to the influence of professional and Lancashire batsman Mark Harvey.

Fixtures: Barnoldswick v Whalley; Baxenden v Read; Blackburn N v Clitheroe; Cherry Tree v Earby; Edenfield v Settle; Os Imm v Ribb W; Padiham v Gt Harwood

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