Accrington 143-9, Nelson 181-5
Saturday July 24th 1976

Accrington 1st XI 1976 ©Garth Dawson

Accrington failed to capitalise on the top two's defeats, losing themselves at home to Nelson. Chris Hartley hit an unbeaten 65, Ken Bythell 40 and professional Harold Gibson 28 in Nelson's 181-5. Mike Chapple, with Neil Hawke now bowling as an amateur at the other end, took 5-48 to restrict the champions to 143-9. At one stage Accrington were 9-4 but a middle order recovery by Malcolm Taylor (36) and Alan Worsick (25) and 9th wicket stand of 52 between Brian Rutter (25 not out) and Dave Parsons (28) saved some face for the home side who are still 9 points behind the leaders in 3rd place on a day when the top three teams were all beaten with Rawtenstall completing the double over league leaders East Lancs.

Scorecard

If you have any memories of 1976 please email Nigel Stockley