Second XI Cup Final Special
Accrington v Ramsbottom
Saturday August 3rd

Road to the final

In the first round Accrington beat Nelson at Thorneyholme Road by 8 wickets. Tofeeq Khan took 4-26 and Waheed Hussain 3-5 to dismiss Nelson for 106 after the experienced Marcus Phelan had hit 49. Nasser Hussain hit an unbeaten 43 and Martin Whittle 25 for Accrington. Ramsbottom beat Enfield by 2 wickets at Acre Bottom. Garfield Moreton took 6-21 and Rizwan Shahid 2-13 to bowl the visitors out for 100. Robert Read hit 37 in a tight finish as Enfield fought back.

In the second round Accrington took on and defeated the previously unbeaten league leaders Burnley. Paul Barratt hit an unbeaten 52 and Stefan Heins 49 in Accrington's 176-7. Heins and Tofeeq then took 2 wickets each as Burnley were bowled out for 157. Ramsbottom beat Haslingden by 7 wickets at Bentgate. Bobby Horrocks took 5-6, Steve Eardley 2-20 and Rizwan Shahid 2-42 to dismiss the home side for 144. Skipper Julian Marcroft hit 52 and Spencer Woods 40 for Ramsbottom.

In the semi finals Accrington travelled to Lowerhouse and Ramsbottom made the trip to Centre Vale to take on Todmorden. Lowerhouse set Accrington a challenging target of 197 for victory at Liverpool Road. At 6-2, things were not looking good but Heins (45), Barratt (41) and Tofeeq (33) put Accrington back in the match but it took a determined 9 wicket stand between Abbass Sadiq (27) and Graeme Sneddon (16) to put Accrington in the final with 4 balls to spare. Ramsbottom and Todmorden were involved in a high scoring game which saw the visitors triumph by 36 runs. Spencer Woods hit an unbeaten 126 in Ramsbottom's 263-4. Woods and Andy Holt (51) put on 117 in a 3rd wicket stand. In reply, Todmorden made 227-9 with Bobby Horrocks taking 3-45, Garfield Moreton 2-37 and Mark Haworth 2-47.

Final preview
Player Profiles
2000 Final
After the final