Paul Yates reporting from

Rawtenstall CC v Haslingden CC Sunday 5th Sept

The Revenge of the Reptiles

"Hubris (from the Greek) an excess of pride or arrogance ultimately causing the transgressor's ruin." When Rawtenstall's Andrew Clough had reached his century and the team looked set for a total of 250 plus then quite patently the Bacup Road side thought they were well and truly in the driving seat. Very nearly giving away two bonus points, their final total of 277 for 9 was one of which I feel sure they were well satisfied. But wasn't it probably at least 40 runs short of what it could and should have been?

To their credit Haslingden were never phased by the total and reached their target with a modicum of ease and efficiency finishing on 278 for 5 with five overs to spare. What…!

Lazing on a sunny afternoon, Rawtenstall supporters welcomed their near neighbours, and arch-enemies, Haslingden CC to the Worswick Memorial Ground. Captain Hanson won the toss, elected to bat with Payne and Clough opening against the bowling of Jack Sudworth and Stephen Dearden. The two openers took the attack to the visitors on what looked like an easy paced wicket and despite the vocal fielders, who were all "buddies" and "fellahs" and the usual reptilian random gobby clichés, the opening pair put on 98 runs before Payne was bowled for 51 by Chris Read who had replaced Sudworth.

Clough continued his onslaught and was joined by Rushmore who once again fell into his own self-induced trap and was caught on the boundary by Sudworth off Read for just 11. Clough who had been dropped on 26 by good old "dasher" Dearden was next partnered by professional Naved Arif who hit an enterprising and quick-fire 28 before renowned partnership breaker Knowles took a difficult caught and bowled opportunity.

Clough saw partners come and go and witnessed the crowd rise as he reached a well-deserved century and another milestone in the resurrection of his career. Rawtenstall then proceeded to throw their wickets away with farcical run-outs in an attempt to give Haslingden two bonus points as is their usual practice. But they were prevented from doing so by master willow wielder, Keith Roscoe, who finished on 3 not out.

Haslingden may not be a great bowling side but they certainly have a talented blend of youth and experience in the batting stakes. Ingham Junior and Knowles, Graham opened brightly against Arif and Shafiq. Runs came quickly and the seeds of self-doubt were planted in the Rawtenstall players and supporters minds early on. Ingham, however, departed for 33 caught behind off Naved only to be replaced by professional, and all-round good egg, Phil Hayes.

This next partnership flourished even when Roscoe replaced Shafiq and it wasn't until young O'Brien came on to bowl that Knowles was run out for 43 off Dean's first bowl when attempting a risky second run. We then saw the introduction of the veteran Dearden and together with Hayes these two set about the Rawtenstall attack with formidable gusto which reminded one of the shelling peas adage.

Eventually Dearden was caught behind by Hanson for 42 and Hayes was caught off Roscoe for 77 valuable runs. Damage done. Pemberton shone briefly for a round dozen but Chris Read and Taylor saw the visitors home quite comfortably on 278 for 5 off 44.1 overs.

Neutrals in the crowd were probably delighted to see nearly 600 runs scored in an afternoon but probably had at least expected to witness a tense conclusion. No, the game fizzed and popped, but didn't really explode into life as a contest. Did we see a few older heads shaking in the breeze, possibly recalling days of Alan Border?

Paul Yates

Scorecard