Weekend to remember as Bacup edge leaders Colne in epic finale

CRICKET NEAL WILKINSON IT was an excellent weekend for Bacup.

Top-of-the-table Colne were visitors to Lanehead on Sunday, where spectators were treated to an exciting and competitive game of league cricket.

Bacup won the toss and elected to bat first, but were soon in trouble at 30 for three with openers Newbitt (6) and Fielding (3) and professional Serasinghe (0), with a rare failure, all back in the pavilion. hopefully puts Bacup back on track to climb the league table.

Serasinghe was again in the wickets, taking four for 48 from his 15 overs, whilst Aspinall also impressed with two for 39 from 13.

On Friday night Bacup were in T20 action at Middleton.

On a good looking pitch Middleton elected to bat first and made a very useful 169 for four with R. Tierney making 61 not out and Jones 49.

The Bacup professional Serasinghe was the pick of the bowlers, taking one for 20 in his four overs.

Serasinghe then went on to lead his team to victory with a masterful innings of 119 not out with four balls to spare.

He hit fourteen fours and six sixes in a chanceless innings which will long live in the memory of those who witnessed it.

Newbitt scored 21 in a first wicket partnership of 83 with his professional but there was no doubting who the star of the show was.

Bacup remain unbeaten in the competition with wins against Todmorden and Middleton, an abandonment against Rawtenstall, when very well placed, and a no result against Milnrow.

However, it is likely that they will still have to win their final group game at Rochdale on Friday if they are to qualify once again for the quarter-final stages.

Meanwhile, it was a weekend to forget for the second eleven.

They travelled to a strong looking Lowerhouse and were comprehensively beaten, being bowled out for only 57 in 15.5 overs.

Nine of the ten wickets to fall, remarkably, were clean bowled.

Only Charlie Gansler made double figures with 13 as Halstead with five for 13 and Stuart with four for 35 scythed through the Bacup batting.

In response Lowerhouse got over the line in quick time on 58 for 3 with Sam Lord picking up 2 for 20 and Holt 1 for 6.