Rawtenstall CC 1973 - 1980

 

In 1973 the league returned to ordinary cricket and Rawtenstall produced 10 draws and only 4 wins. 1974 must go down as the clubs worst ever in bowling, professional John Holder could only manage 34 wickets, but was still the leading wicket taker. Wood and French batted well finishing with 657 and 617 respectively. The cricket was to become more and more negative, Rawtenstall had 17 draws. Limited overs returned to try to reduce this, Rawtenstall finished 7th but could be proud of two individual performances. Dave Brickett the South African pro finished 87 short of 1,000 runs and also took 49 wickets, George Croisdale took 62 wickets and hit a career best of 109 not out.

Rawtenstall over the past three years had assembled a well balanced batting line up but they needed someone to support Croisdale, so they signed Indian test bowler Abid Ali for the 1976 season. Rawtenstall achieved a cup semi final game against Burnley which produced a £1000 gate. Abid Ali's 7 for 35 ensured a final place against Accrington. Rawtenstall were victorious by 17 runs with amateur Chris Flood taking 7 for 40. Abid Ali finished with 427 runs but more importantly 82 wickets.

Peter Wood was now Rawtenstall's best batter having scored 732 runs at 33.2. Rawtenstall acquired a bright spark from Accrington by the name of Graham Fowler, an aggressive left handed batter. In his first appearance he hit 97 at Rishton and finished the season with 600 runs with Lancashire CCC well aware of his potential. Rawtenstall slipped to a mid-table position and were knocked out of the cup in the first round. This was to be George Croisdale's last season having taken 396 wickets in his career.

In 1978 Peter Wood and Abid Ali shared the honours. There records were almost identical Wood 910 runs at 45.5 and Ali 922 at 43.9. Together they made two memorable partnerships 136 and 167. A young batsman Glen Barlow,who made his debut in 1975 hit his highest score to date108 no v Colne. 1978 will also be remembered for Rawtenstall's Worsley Cup run, they reached the final for the second time in three years. In the second round of the competition Alan Border scored 179 no, hitting Ali for 121! East Lancs' score of 290 for 4 looked utterly beyond reach. Wood (83), Ali (119 no) and Manning (58 no) thought otherwise as Rawtenstall reached the total with only three wickets down. The final was a close affair but they fell 8 runs short of Enfields total. It was farewell to Abid Ali, the only professional to date to steer the club to a double. His bowling was always consistant (82, 79 and 76) and his batting blossomed to such an extent he was only 153 runs short of Hazare's club record.

Alan Worsick was signed as pro for Accrington in 1979, his bowling was steady rather than penetrative even though he had a best of 8 for 29 v Ramsbottom. Glen Barlow scored 630 runs at an average of 30 and Brian Payne finished 1 run short of 600. Alan Worsick returned the following season as an amateur as Ross was the paid man, but it was Peter Wood again who took the eye, beating his own club record by 7 runs reaching 917 (including eight 50's, and 108 v Rishton). A natural sports player Wood had the full range of shots and a liking of the fast stuff which was just as well for what was looming on the horizon.

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Honours : Past Professionals : Hall of Fame