Accrington 104, Ramsbottom 107-8
2nd May 1981

Accrington 1st XI 1981 ©Stephen Blunt

A low scoring game at Thorneyholme Road saw Accrington go down to a 2 wicket defeat by Ramsbottom. Steve Ratcliffe (2-18) send back openers Graham Beech (2) and Geoff Hayhurst (0) but home professional David Stead (56) hit his maiden Lancashire League half century before being dismissed by his opposite number Ian Callan (3-43). Mark Aspin also fell to Callan and Peter West was dismissed by Andy Taylor, both men failing to score as Accrington slipped to 30-4. Ray Haworth (15) helped Stead take the score to 66 before also falling to Taylor. Maurice Haslam (3-11) picked up Neil Jones (7), skipper Alan Richardson (3) and Andy Gardener (8) with Callan finishing off the innings for 104 by sending back Stead and wicketkeeper Paul Graham (7). Jones removed Peter Ashworth (1) at 2 but Mick Everett (21) and Mark Price took the score to 31 when Price also fell to Jones. Ian Birtwistle dismissed Everett, Callan (0) and skipper Henry Hall (2) with Stead accounting for Pete Daggett (4) and Ratcliffe (1) but John Ramsbottom hit a fine unbeaten 52 and after Haslam (6) was run out, wicketkeeper Paul Marcroft helped the visitors home with 15 balls to spare to consign pointless Accrington to a third successive defeat. Scorecard

If you have any memories of 1981 please email Nigel Stockley