RAWTENSTALL CC 1936 -1947

 

1936 was the club's jubilee year and Rawtenstall played exceptionally well in which they were losing finalists in the Worsley Cup final against Accrington. The club also finished 2nd in the league behind Nelson.

In the next season surprise,surprise Nelson won the league and Rawtenstall came joint 3rd with Colne. Rawtenstall had the better chances of the two, not being defeated until the middle of June, but faltered in August. The batting was again the strong point; Slater 571, Hitch 581 and Middleton 492. Disaster struck Nelson, Constantine was leaving, in his 9 seasons he led them to 7 league titles and 2 cups. He achieved the highest individual score of 192 in 87 minutes, the best bowling figures of 10 for 10 and was only 4 wickets away from the unheard of double.

In 1938 Reg Hitch took over as captain, but he still did not bring success to the club, the players form was indifferent. In 1939 Hoyle became the captain, but he too did not bring success to the club. Professional VJ Evans took 8 for 15 at Colne and 6 for 2 against Bacup who were all out for 35. Harold Hannah took a career best of 7 for 15 which included a spell of 5 for 0.

In 1940 league cricket carried on through the war without any professionals being signed up. Rawtenstall had a good season finishing runners up behind Church. On the 8th of June that fine opening pair for Ramsbottom; Whitworth (133 no) and Pearson (97) put on 240 runs at Bacup Road yet Rawtenstall still won. The batting was firing on all cylinders; Hargreaves 400+ (131 v Enfield), Greenwood 478 ( 122no v Burnley), Coope 500+ (99 v Haslingden) his batting including seven fifties. He beat his previous seasons run total by 400 runs. Middleton 625 including the highest score by an amatuer, 166 no v Bacup in Rawtenstall's 291 for 6 declared.

The war was almost over in 1945 and professionals returned, Les Todd a county player for Kent scored over 500 runs at an average of 46. The next season pro Bartley was useless, despite a mid-table position support reached a very high level. Keith Miller an exciting all rounder was signed.

The winter of 46/47 was the worst many could remember with heavy snowfall. Bad news followed Miller broke his contract. On the 6th of May the club were host to the county team and proceeds were given to the Old Trafford ground reconstruction fund. Lancashire scored 182 for 3 declared, our own Winston Place scored 59. Our new professionals Ken Grieves the 22 year old unknown, was soon impressing with good all round performances and on Trinity Monday 5000 spectators witnessed him hit 50 in only 42 minutes including 10 boundaries versus Todmorden. In early June the club had 2100 members. In the cup Haslingden were steam rolled for 36 (Grieves 5 for 13 and Eddie Poole 5 for 15) and overcoming early set backs in the semi-final v Nelson, Rawtenstall were set for their second final again with ground advantage, but this time top opposition of East Lancs. Rawtenstall entered in good batting form with previous scores of 253 for 4 and 204 for 4. A packed ground with 6636 spectators sat back in anticipation of a batting feast. This was a dreadful anticlimax after 3 overs Rawtenstall were 6 for 2, ending up with 91 which East Lancs achieved comfortably. On the morning of August 31st Rawtenstall and East Lancs were level at the top of the table, with a difficult visit to Turf Moor ahead. Rawtenstall were set 193 to win but they did not manage it. The last match of the season was against East Lancs in which Rawtenstall had to win to force a place in the play-offs, East Lancs' 244 for 8 put paid to that. The club ended up three points adrift but a record of 15 wins, 3 defeats and 8 draws was something to be proud of. Ken Grieves finished with 908 runs and 89 wickets. In the amateur ranks, top places went to Tommy Incles (496) and Eddie Poole (38 wickets). In the winter ex-Rawtenstall player, Winston Place was selected to play for England against the West Indies and he hit a century.

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Honours : Past Professionals : Hall of Fame