Accrington Cricket Club
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Rawtenstall 211, Accrington 201
27th May 1978

Accrington 1978
Accrington CC 1978
©Garth Dawson

Accrington were beaten for the first time in a high scoring encounter at Rawtenstall.

A century by Rawtenstall professional Abid Ali helped the home side to 211 all out. Ali made a league best 106, adding 167 for the 3rd wicket with Peter Wood who made 62. Both men were dismissed by Ian Birtwistle (2-45) but it was professional Alan Worsick who ran through the tail with the last 7 wickets falling for 13 runs in the frantic chase for an even bigger total.

Worsick took 5-5 to improve his figures from 1-69 to 6-74. Without Dave Parsons, Accrington missed Wood before he had scored with wicketkeeper Paul Graham the villain.

Wicketkeeper Brian Manning was the only other batsman in double figures with 14.

Ali was also in great form with the ball taking 6-64 as he bowled unchanged. The Indian trapped Graham Beech for 5 but then Geoff Hayhurst (24) and John Swanney (74) put on 53 with Swanney making the first half century by an Accrington player this season.

At the halfway point Accrington were 71 but 18 came off the next over followed by 10 and 9 to swing the momentum Accrington's way.

Malcolm Taylor (37) then added 74 for the 4th wicket with Swanney but both were dismissed by Brett Storey (2-44) to swing the match Rawtenstall's way.

Sixty were needed off the last 6 overs but with Worsick in full flow it was reduced to 29 off 2 and 14 off the final over to be bowled by Abid Ali.

Worsick's innings ended at 200 when he had scored 35 and then Ali cleaned up Glyn Davies and Graham with successive balls to take his side to victory with 1 ball remaining as Accrington were dismissed for 201. Scorecard