Accrington 145-7, Colne 153-7
19th April 1981

Accrington 1st XI 1981 ©Stephen Blunt

Accrington began the 1981 season with an 8 run home defeat to Colne. Trevor Hatch got the home side off to a great start by cleaning up Colne opener Howard Lonsdale before a run had been scored. Neil Jones had the other opener Geoff Fryers (4) caught behind by Paul Graham at 6 but a 3rd wicket stand of 81 between Terry Little (52) and professional Deepak Chopra (58) put the visitors in control. Accrington professional David Stead removed both men along with skipper Trevor Lonsdale (2), Geoff Marsden (10) and Gary Little (1) in taking 5-38 on his Lancashire League debut. Colne's innings closed on 153-7. Accrington openers Graham Beech and Geoff Hayhurst added 68 before Beech was trapped in front by Chopra for 27. Mark Aspin (3), Stead (8) and Jones (1) fell to Howard Lonsdale (3-30) with Chopra also removing Hayhurst for 71and skipper Alan Richardson (6). Hatch (7 not out) and Ray Haworth (11 not out) added an unbroken 19 for the 8th wicket but Accrington closed on 145-7. Scorecard

If you have any memories of 1981 please email Nigel Stockley