Bacup 95, Accrington 96-6
Saturday July 29th 1961

 

Accrington 1961 Champions ©Garth Dawson

Accrington completed the double over Bacup to take over at the top of the table after Nelson could only draw at Rishton.

Derek Rushton was the match winning bowler taking 5-19 after picking up just 3 wickets all season prior to this match. Professional Wes Hall kept one end going taking 2-41 and his opening partner Jim Eland picked up 3-28 before making way for Rushton.

The medium pacer took 3 wickets in 13 balls for just 1 run with home professional Sadashiv Patil top scoring with 20.

Accrington's reply began well with Frank Rushton and Jackie Hope putting on 32 before Rushton fell to Boyden for 27. Boyden had Hall taken by Fred Mitchell behind the wicket and then Patil bowled Derek Rushton for 3 as 3 wickets fell for 5 runs. Hope and Derek Mark put on 20 before Hope fell to Patil for 24. The home professional also removed Russ Cuddihy for 1 and then Bob Bennett held Mark off Dick Dunham for 24. It was left to skipper Lindon Dewhurst to secure the points with an unbeaten 16 in the company of Eric Foster.

Accrington's fourth successive victory gave them a one point lead over Nelson with six matches left to play.

Scorecard