Accrington 43, Rawtenstall 120
16th August 1981

Accrington 1st XI 1981 ©Stephen Blunt

Accrington lost for the second time in the weekend going down to title chasing Rawtenstall by 87 runs at Thorneyholme Road. Home professional David Stead took 6-47 and Neil Jones picked up a senior best 4-53 to bowl third placed Rawtenstall out for 120. Jones removed the visitors top three with openers Glenn Barlow (23) and ex Accrington player John Swanney (4) both well held by Billy Rawstron. Skipper Peter Wood was caught by Stead and Roger Watson was clean bowled by the Accrington paceman for 15. Rawtenstall professional Franklyn Stephenson (23), Steve Ashworth (20), Brian Payne (16), Andy Nuttall (2), Brian Manning (0) and Brett Storey (3) all fell to Stead leaving last man John Beaumont unbeaten on 4. Stephenson wasted no time in getting stuck in to the Accrington as the home side were soon 15-5 in the midst of a career best spell of 8-23 by the West Indian who had yet to play a First-class match. Stephenson had opener Graham Beech (2) caught by Swanney and Andy Gardener (0) caught by Payne. Geoff Hayhurst (0) and Jones (4) were trapped in front with skipper Alan Richardson (17), Adrian Varley (0), Rawstron (7) and Mick Donnelly (0) all hearing the sound of falling timber in a devastating spell that saw the home side bundled out for 43. Storey chipped in with the wicket of Stead (2) and Watson accounted for Ray Haworth who made 6 in his final appearance in the Lancashire League. Accrington stay in tenth place in the table after 22 games. Scorecard

If you have any memories of 1981 please email Nigel Stockley