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Accrington 180-6, Church 176-5
Worsley Cup Round Semi Finlal
Sunday July 4th 1976
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Accrington had the better of their local derby against Church at Thorneyholme Road on July 4th to reach the final for the first time in six years. A memorable match saw the home side triumph by 4 wickets in front of a sun soaked crowd who paid a record gate of £706 to watch the tie. The visitors, who went into the match on the back of five straight wins, made 176-8 with in-form professional Shafiq Ahmed stroking a cultured 59 before having an almighty heave at Tony Gallagher and losing his middle stump in spectacular fashion. Ian Osborne made 35 and opener Billy Wilkinson 28 before both fell to Alan Worsick, who took 3-52. Gallagher was the home sides most successful bowler taking 4-57. Home openers Graham Beech (8) and Geoff Hayhurst (0) soon departed, but Peter West (40) and John Swanney (42) put on 53 for the 3rd wicket before Jack Houldsworth and Shafiq notched their second wicket apiece. Malcolm Taylor had made just 5 when he had to retire hurt with a leg injury and then Alan Richardson was superbly caught and bowled by Church skipper Steve Metcalf for 2 to put the visitors well on top. Worsick had other ideas and when skipper Ian Birtwistle became Houldsworth's third wicket, Taylor returned to the middle with a runner to partner his professional in a match winning stand. Worsick hit five fours and a six in an unbeaten 45 with Taylor also unbeaten on 26 as both batsmen feasted on a tiring Houldsworth, who conceded 31 runs from his final three overs to finish with 3-81.
If you have any memories of 1976 please email Nigel Stockley