Rawtenstall CC 1981 -1985

 

The West Indies at this time had a production line of fast bowlers. Rishton signed up Michael Holding and Haslingden not to be outdone went for Andy Roberts. Rawtenstall however gambled on a younger model with plenty of potential by the name of Franklyn Stephenson. Stephenson in his first match at home looked out of sorts batting scoring only 4 runs, the home crowd hoped that he could do better with the ball and he did taking 8 for 24. Peter Wood made 66 in this match which started a run of good scores for him; 58no, 67no, 34, 71no and 81no. Immediately after Rawtenstall lost three on the trot and doubts crept in about the teams consistancy. With 10 games remaining including double fixtures against; Colne, Burnley, Accrington and East Lancs there was little margin for error. Colne, Accrington and East Lancs (thanks to 42 from Stephenson) were all beaten setting up a three horse race at the top of the table along with Burnley and Haslingden. Rawtenstall started badly at home to Burnley 33 for 4 but managed to make 143. Burnley were set for victory on 72 for 3 when the last seven wickets fell for just 16 runs. Psychologically this was the most important match of the season, not only had Rawtenstall snatched the points but the initiative and in the return match charged with "needle" two weeks later Stephenson scattered their hopes by removing Burnley's top three batsmen in his third over. For the first time Rawtenstall were top with 79pts followed by Haslingden 77 and Burnley 76. In the final match of the season at home to East Lancs John Swanney hit his first century since moving from Accrington, Stephenson reached his 100 wickets and Rawtenstall won by 94 runs. The Championship was won thanks to ten straight wins picking up 48 points out of the possible 50. Peter Wood was top scorer with 687 runs, including the fastest amateur 50 of the season, he also represented Nottinghamshire in a John Player Special match but had to decline further invitations to lead Rawtenstall to the championship. Stephenson finished the season with 105 wickets with best bowling of 8 for 23, beating Holding (86), Roberts (82) and Kapil Dev (71).

Prior to the 1982 season news came from Barbados that Franklyn had scored 162 no as a nightwatchman, so what could Rawtenstall expect the following season. In his first innings he hit 136 at home to East Lancs (eight 6's, thirteen 4's), reaching his 50 off 34 balls and his 100 off 54 balls. This was the highest score by a Rawtenstall player since 1945, but during the next 23 innings he only produced two innings of note. With the ball Stephenson took 99 wickets often being too quick or hostile for the majority of opposition batsmen, in June he also signed midweek terms with Gloucestershire. Peter Wood had left the club to pro in the Ribblesdale League, but the runs were made up by John Swanney (666) and the new captain Brian Payne (594) also passing a career milestone of 3000 runs. Steven Ashworth was the only amateur centurion 107 no but this innings was to be upstaged by an explosive innings by Collis King. Earlier in the season Rawtenstall had performed a real Houdini act, replying to Accrington's 154 they were 71 for 9 with an hour to go, Paul Riding (41 no) and John Beaumont (37 no) not only saw out the overs but ensured a win on a faster run rate! With the season entering the home straight Lowerhouse (the only club not to have won a trophy) faltered and Rawtenstall timed their run superbly and won by a short neck. Rawtenstall had just to avoid being bowled out in the final match of the season, they batted first and after an appalling start "shut up shop" and survived until the interval at which point the contest was pronounced dead. Two seasons, two championships, two hundred wickets for Franklyn Stephenson. The club have employed better batsmen and cleverer bowlers but they have never had a better match winner.

The man succeeding Stephenson needed abundant flair and confidence; the man selected was a 23 year-old Zimbabwean all rounder with no previous league experience called Kevin Curran, unfortunately he was found to be short on both. Those who saw a splendid 118 followed by 6 for 65 at Haslingden could vouch for his ability, but on the other occasions it seemed the harder he tried the more shackled he became. Home supporters did not have much joy as everyone except Roger Watson (112 v East Lancs) performed their best away from Bacup Road. It was also a season of extremes; 22 matches had been abandoned by early June without a ball being bowled, then came the cricket World Cup and a mini heat wave with temperatures in the 90's. We didn't expect to make it three championships in three seasons, but neither did we expect there to be only three beneath us.

May 1984 reservoir levels dropped week by week, watering gardens was banned by July and some cricket wickets became lethal. Kamal Singh was engaged as professional and with Peter Wood returning the club had a batting line up second to none; Barlow, Payne, Singh, Wood, Swanney and Ashworth. The bowling however was another matter, the season began disasteriously and ended discontentedly. The most pleasing aspect was the return to form of Glen Barlow who scored 890 runs only 27 short of Peter Wood's record. Barlow was a belligerent player eager for early domination, possessing a wide range of attacking strokes. His two centuries 117no v Lowerhouse and 126 no v Church (setting a new post war first wicket partnership of 193 with Philip Pickles scoring 65 no) were Barlow at his best. Singh scored 779 runs at an average of 46, but rarely scored many scores over 50.

The 1985 was the 100th season of cricket at Bacup Road and will go down as the most frustrating for the powers behind the scenes. After much effort they signed Rod McCurdy a fast bowler rapidly making a name for himself in Australia, but just before the season started he was selected to go on tour with Australia and with only a week to go the club were in a frantic position without a pro. An unknown 21 year old West Indian, Anthony Merrick was signed and then the club heard that McCurdy could have been available after all, due to his disqualification because he had gone on a "rebel tour "of South Africa. On 5th of May Glen Barlow briefly became a record breaker scoring his 6th century (one more than Middleton), but the rain washed out the matches and the league decreed all matches void to be played at a later date. Rawtenstall inconsistant in the league raised their game in the cup beating Burnley and East Lancs both away before a home final against Todmorden. Getting the final played was another matter, seven Sundays in a row lashed the valley. Saturday 7th September was the final date with the weather only slightly better both teams put on an excellent show in sodden conditions. Rawtenstall started badly but thanks to 49 from Swanney reached a defendable 187, which turned out to be sufficient in a quiet tense affair. This was Rawtenstall's second cup victory (out of seven home finals). Tony Merrick learned the value of pitching the ball up and finished with 86 wickets. Left arm spinner Keith Roscoe who transferred from Bacup gave the bowling attack a welcome balance and Philip Pickles opening the batting scored 641 runs only just being beaten by Peter Wood. The weather made the most lasting impression though; the 78th coldest summer, wettest June for 14 years, coldest day in June for 21 years, rain every day from 1st to 25th August and overall rainfall was up by 50%.

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