Accrington 144-2, Church 140-6
Sunday August 29th 1976

Accrington 1st XI 1976 ©Garth Dawson

Sunday saw a second pointless game of the weekend for East Lancs when their match with Rishton was abandoned with the home side looking at defeat after being dismissed for just 67. A career best unbeaten 84 by Alan Richardson took Accrington to the top of the table for the first time this season after an 8 wicket win over Church at Thorneyholme Road. Ian Birtwistle took 4-33 and Alan Worsick 2-51 in the visitors' 140-6 with Billy Wilkinson hitting 35, Shafiq 29 and Tommy George 29. It took Accrington just 23 overs to make the runs with Richardson striking 13 fours and two sixes in an 89 ball knock after Geoff Hayhurst (8) and Peter West (19) had fallen to Jack Houldsworth and Shafiq. John Swanney hit an unbeaten 23 against a Church attack that gave a derby debut to young pace bowler Nick Westwell. Accrington now share the lead with Rawtenstall with 66 points from 23 games.

Scorecard

If you have any memories of 1976 please email Nigel Stockley