Bacup’s chase simply perfect
CRICKET SHELDAN KEAY
BACUP Cricket Club triumphed in a remarkable game of cricket away to Littleborough at Hare Hill, on a day when a number of records fell.
Bacup skipper Aaron Fielding won the toss and invited the opposition to bat first. At 12 for 3 he was probably feeling quite good about his decision, but three hours later and with no further wickets he was no doubt feeling a little less happy as Littleborough piled on the runs.
Professional Thomas Kaber with 134 not out and Joe Smith-Butler with 108 not out added 258 in an unbeaten fourth wicket partnership.
This is a record Lancashire League fourth wicket partnership eclipsing that of Enfield professional Des Fothergill and the legendary Eddie Paynter, who put on 248 back in 1949.
Bacup started strongly and were always up with the run rate. Matt Thompson departed for a bright and breezy 21, sub pro Tristan Coetzee was unlucky to be adjudged LBW for 13 and Tim Farragher was stumped for 11.
Opening batsman Simon Newbitt was still there however and found a good ally in Matt Schofield before the latter was run out for 35. Newbitt then went on to time the run chase to perfection before being out two runs short of the target for a club amateur record of 128 at the same time passing the milestone of 8,000 Lancashire League runs.
Jack Bradford provided splendid support towards the end of the innings and finished the job off with a personal best of 34 not out.
The previous record held by James Midgely had stood for 87 years since his innings of 123 not out at Rawtenstall. It is unlikely that Bacup has conceded two centuries and won the match before. It is certainly the highest run chase in their history.
There was frustration on Sunday though, as the planned match against Middleton at Towncroft ended in a no result without a ball bowled.
The second team meanwhile claimed a maximum 12 point victory after bowling out Littleborough for 81 in 30 overs. Alex Shepherd was pick of the bowlers with an impressive 5 for 28 off 12 overs and Sam Harris wrapped up the innings with 4 for 17 before having to leave the field with a serious shoulder injury. Bacup romped home with a convincing 8 wicket victory with Scott Thompson making 32 and Andrew Knights 20 not out.
It was a mixed 24 hours for RAMSBOTTOM, as they won one of their matches over the weekend. The disappointment came on Saturday when they were beaten by 104 runs against Crompton.
It was Crompton who batted first, with a century from opening Mohammad Jamal helping the side finish on 242-9 at the end of their 50 overs. Ramsbottom were unable to challenge in reply, with the team bowled all out for 138 in 39 overs and Crompton earning the comfortable victory.
Ramsbottom were able to bounce back on Sunday though as they picked up an eight wicket win against Church at Blackburn Road.
Church won the toss and decided to bat first, but good bowling from Ramsbottom saw them bowl their opponents all out for just 128. It was a comfortable run chase for Ramsbottom, with the team needing just 23 overs as they ended on 129-2 to claim the win.
HASLINGDEN were big winners on Saturday after defeating Milnrow by 175 runs at Bentgate. Milnrow won the toss and decided to field, but it proved to be a mistake as good scores from Chris Cook-Martin (60) and professional Kamran Ghulam (57) helped Haslingden finish on 233-6.
Milnrow then struggled ●● Joe Smith-Butler massively in reply, as only two batsmen managed to reach double figures, while seven others made just a combined four runs between them as Milnrow were bowled all out for 58. Jo Sipocz finished as the pick of the bowlers for Haslingden as he ended with figures of 6-33.
Sunday’s game against Clitheroe couldn’t take place though as it finished in a no result without a ball being bowled.
RAWTENSTALL were beaten as they lost by eight wickets against Low- erhouse at the Worswick Memorial Ground.
Rawtenstall batted first, finishing on 173-7 at the end of their 50 overs after a top score of 68 from Andrew Payne. Lowerhouse eased to their target though, as Ben Heap ended unbeaten on 109 as his side chased down the total with eight wickets and 16 overs to spare, condemning Rawtenstall to defeat.
Rawtenstall’s planned game against Norden on Sunday also ended in a no result.