Bacup v Rawtenstall

Sunday saw us make the short journey up the road to face Bacup.
The weather forecast was to say the least iffy.Showers had been forecast,
when and if they came any ones guess,but the gale force winds were real
enough.Bacup elected to field.Nathan and Chris opened, they were going
along nicely ,until Nathan was adjudged caught behind off Joe McCluskie
for 4 ,a decision he was non too happy with.Chris was trapped lbw off Harris
in the very next over, and suddenly we were teetering on 22 for 2.Paynie and
Danny B then added 17 for the third wicket,but, both fell with the score on 39.
Danny for 11 and Paynie for 4,off the bowling of McCluskie.Sealy was bowled
by Harris for 7,and we were in a spot of trouble at 52 for 5.This soon became
59 for 6,as Jay-Lo became yet another Harris lbw for 8.If a batting hero was needed
we found one in Willy-Boy, first him and Big Vin made 25,before Vin became the next
Harris lbw victim for 6.(84 for 7)This loss only seemed to galvanise Will who along with
Bomber Riley added another 29 for the eighth wicket.Will was caught of Harris to give
him his sixth wicket for 30,with the score on 113,our innings subsided to 116 all out,as
Afi gave a return catch to Harris who finished with 7 for 42 off 21.5 overs.
Not the greatest of totals but as it was pointed out we had won at Enfield scoring a lot
less.Bacups' innings started briskly and moved on to 25 before Paynie trapped Paul
Gallagher lbw for 16.Two overs later Paynie dismissed Pete Thompson bowled,and very
next ball Harris caught behind for a golden duck.Start of the next over saw Nathan
yet again take a wonder catch of his own bowling to dismiss Pete Killelea for a blob.
Now Bacup really were reeling at 31 for 4.Young Matt Thompson looked ill at ease
and Paynie bowled him for 4.(36 for 5).The dangerous Kipper Chapman was sent packing
again by the rampant Payne ,bowled for a couple.(50 for 6)Nick Cronshaw fared little better
smartly snaffled by Big Vin off Nathan for a single,58 for 7.Which soon became 66 for 8 as Tim
Farraghers' vigil was ended by another neat take by Vin off the bowling of Payne giving Paynie his
sixth wicket.Then our worst fears were about to be realised Bacup 73 for 8 and the rain came with
the home side ahead on run rate.As quickly as the downpour had come it was gone ,and we took the
field in sunshine!With the score on 80 Young McCluskie survived a very good lbw shout,but next ball
perished caught by Paynie at slip for 8.It was left to Nathan to finish off having Pete Fell caught at extra
cover by Jay-lo for 9.The home side 86 all out ,finishing 24 short of the revised target.
It had been 10 years since a Rawtenstall 1st Eleven had won at Lanehead,ah I remember it well.
But this one will live long in the memory,thanks to the little wager I had with one of the Bacup faithful,
yes Brian Bancroft it's time to honour your pledge providing ,Rocky finish higher in the league than Bacup,
oh the sweet sound of Wedding Bells!
Anyhow Todmorden away Saturday,so lets hope for fine weather and another win.'till next time see you laytur Kes.

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