Memorable
Matches
Accrington v Ramsbottom
August
12th 1916
Earlier
in the season, Ramsbottom had become the first team to defeat Accrington
in almost two years when they came back from being on the verge of defeat
at 87-7, chasing 147 to win. With this in mind the return fixture was
eagerly anticipated by the champions.
The
gate was slightly disappointing, but the unsettled weather on the day
was probably the reason for this. During the game there wee several
showers, some heavy, but despite this the game went on uninterrupted.
Ramsbottom
batted first and were soon in trouble on a hard fast wicket against
the pace of Alec Jackson, Wolstenholme falling to the third ball of
the match. Duerr and Castle then produced the visitors best stand of
the innings adding 18 before both were dismissed by Jackson, who went
on to claim the first six wickets, three of which were slip catches.
Johnny Pollard, having a rare quiet spell in his record breaking season,
claimed 2-50 in an unchanged spell with Jackson, who finished with the
superb figures of 8-18 off 13 overs to dismiss the visitors for 73.
As
Accrington openers Jackson and Stephen Heys walked out to bat, the supporters
expected an easy victory. Things were going well at 21-0 when suddenly
the game started to change. Both openers were dismissed to catches behind
the wicket to bring in the legendary Billy Ormerod. Today was not to
be Billy's day however, the great man falling in the same manner without
scoring. George Parker soon followed, bowled by Bradshaw, who by now
had his tail up. Four slips standing well back in eager anticipation
waited for each delivery.
Skipper
Arnold Chadwick was next to go, stumped without scoring, to be quickly
followed by an unhappy Johnny Pollard and young Bill Finney. 31-7 became
37-8 when wicketkeeper Jim Inman was dismissed.
The
champions had their backs to the wall, but cometh the hour, cometh the
man. Harold Secker and Scaife added 14 before the latter was bowled
by Bradshaw. This brought together youngsters Secker and Yates - 23
to win, one wicket to fall. Secker, missed twice early on, dominated
the partnership, growing in confidence all the time with Yates content
to defend his wicket. Secker played a majestic extra cover drive off
Duerr and unbelievably, victory was in sight. The field closed in on
young Yates, but cool as a cucumber he turned Duerr off his legs to
win the match. The crowd rushed on to the field and chaired the youngsters
off shoulder high to the pavilion. This is what champions are made of!
Scorecard
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