RAWTENSTALL CC 1948 -1959

Success was more elusive in 1948. Banks with 6 for 27 put us in a good position in the cup with Bacup 81 all out, but Rawtenstall only managed 41 all out. Many grounds have witnessed murdered bowling, but how many have witnessed a murdered body: for on Saturday 28th August Nancy Ellen Chadwick lay dead in the cellar of Maggie Allen's terraced house on Bacup Rd just opposite the gate. The next day started early with Maggie trying to drag out the body over the road and closed with Scotland Yard on the scene trying to drag out information.

VJ Hazare reached 1000 runs in the season, due to intensive coaching off Australian Clarrie Grimmett. He scored 50 on each league ground, Hazare nearly reached this feat first time round but only achieved 44 at Lowerhouse and did not bat at Todmorden. He returned the next season and accomplished this amazing feat again. Batting was his strong point with 1075 runs, but any bowler would have been proud of 104 wickets at 9.82 which he also achieved. Joey Middleton announced his retirement before the Bacup match on the 18th of June. Joey was applauded to the wicket by the supporters, the Bacup players and the umpires. It was a great day for cricket with 2500 members present watching. Incles saved the day but Joey signed off with 7410 runs, 2 batting records, the highest individual score (166) and the most centuries. Bob Banks had a good season in which he took 57 wickets, this led to him being signed up by Adlington in the Bolton league as their professional.

George Tribe was the next professional and he had a very special gift of being a match winner. He finished the season with 646 runs and 107 wickets at 9.18 the best aggregate since Sidney Barnes. In 1950 Rawtenstall were very consistant with 6 wins at home, 6 wins away,3 defeats and 11 draws ending on 47 points, 3 less than the champions Burnley.

In 1951 the Rawtenstall supporters had great value for money with Rawtenstall's 11 wins 8 of them being at home. Tribe was in the thick of the action 8 for 27 v Church, 7 for 48 v Bacup, 8 for 45 v Ramsbottom, 91no v Todmorden. He had a aggregate of 791 his highest score being 92 no v Nelson. The August Bank holiday Monday match saw a spectacular collapse, Colne the visitors 66 for 1 caved into 86 all out the last 9 wickets falling in 40 minutes. The spin twins of Tribe and Wells did the damage. The 1949-51 seasons were arguably the best trio in the club's history.

Bob Madden from New South Wales was the new professional and he could be considered unlucky to be given only one season, for he was a good all rounder. His first three innings on Bacup Rd were fifties, he top scored against Haslingden with 91 and scored 71 at Nelson.

In the summer of 1953 Rawtenstall played at Todmorden and produced one of the clubs lowest scores, all out for 20. We had a bowling professional this season a fast left armer from New South Wales called Alan Walker, but the main wickets came from Philip White who took 8 for 32 in his first appearance versus Haslingden. In the next season Walker finished with 59 wickets, he left his mark on two matches that season; at Enfield he took 9 for 42 and at home to East Lancs 8 for 16 followed by 92 with the bat.

In 1955 six years on, Hazare returned he topped the batting averages with 1041 runs including two unbeaten centuries, Hazare's bowling was less of a success with only 56 wickets but he did achieve a hat-trick.

In 1956 "old boy" Winston Place returned at the age of 41, he played 8 matches before he took up coaching at Butlins Holiday Camp. In his final match he scored 109 no in a 9 wicket win over Burnley. The Indian professional JM Ghorpade had a moderate season and perhaps would be best remembered for his Groucho Marx looks and his catching behind the wicket. The team dropped one place to a dissapointing 12th.

Rawtenstall signed Australian Vic Jackson in 1957 who was a very experienced cricketer, he had played many seasons for Leicestershire. He was the seasons top all rounder with 618 runs and 72 wickets. His batting couldn't fail to delight, for he scored elegantly and quickly. Incle hit his first century for the club (127no v Todmorden), Hargie Greenwood retired and collectively the team finished a disappointing ninth. The weather during the 1958 season was shocking, there being only 3 ideal Saturdays for watching cricket. Rawtenstall finished 5th, but only lost 3 times, but drew 16 times. Vic Jackson assisted with 600 runs. Tom Incles scored 630 and the top amateur wicket keeper Brian Haughton announced his retirement in May, thus promoting permanently from the seconds Brian Manning. Bacup's professional Everton Weekes in his last season hit 225 not out beating Albert Rhodes' 33 year old record which was also made on Rawtenstall. Australian Booby Simpson (Accrington) achieved a league record of 11 consecutive scores of over 50 and along with Conrad Hunte (Enfield) scored over 1400 runs. Rawtenstall's batting did not excel with only Geoff Holt scoring over 500 runs. Kenny Barnes had his moments scoring his only century for the club (102 no v Lowerhouse) and versus Ramsbottom he scored 72 no chasing 88. It was Tommy Incles last season and he finished with 5512 runs in 225 innings including 2 centuries, 33 fifties and 99 catches.

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Honours : Past Professionals : Hall of Fame