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Accrington 172-9, Rawtenstall 170
19th July 1986
 Accrington CC 1986 |
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Going in to this match Accrington were riding high. Already in the final of the Telegraph Cup, they were also in second place in the league behind Nelson, although they had lost the two previous games, Rawtenstall having got the better of last weeks fixture.
Accrington won the toss and invited Rawtenstall to bat. Openers Glen Barlow and Peter Pickles made a slow start and after 9 overs, the visitors had scored 10 for the loss of Barlow, who was caught by Accrington professional Rod Tucker to give John Bramwell his first senior wicket for Accrington. Peter Wood increased the tempo until he was bowled by David Lloyd for 30. John Kershaw and Pickles put on 43 before Mark Aspin claimed the opener for 44. Rawtenstall continued to lose wickets at regular intervals to Aspin and Lloyd until they were finally dismissed in the last over for 170. Mark Aspin took 6-62 and the skipper 3-57 in 16 overs. Rod Tucker had injured an ankle in the field and would only bat if required.
Accrington openers Billy Rawstron and Andy Stevenson made a cautious start against West Indian quickie Tony Merrick, scoring 23 in the first 10 overs, until Stevenson was caught by Wood for 12. Rawstron and Graham Lloyd soon followed to leave the home side struggling at 29-3 after 18 overs. Neil Jones didn't last long, being bowled by Merrick for 7, and when Aspin fell to Roscoe, Accrington were in dire straits at 48-5 after 21 overs. Left arm spinner Roscoe's first six overs had cost only 12 runs, when he bowled the over that would change the course of the game.
Throughout his career, David Lloyd always had a reputation for being a fine player of spin bowling, and at the age of 39 his skill in this department lay undiminished. The first ball of the over sailed out of the ground towards Huncoat for six. The next ball was a dot, followed by a wide. Six runs from The Bumble was the reply followed by three fours. The over had cost 25 runs. Accrington had gone from 57 to 82 in one over and Mr Roscoe had taken his sweater. Runs were now flowing from both ends, Paul Barratt contributing 18 in the stand of 76 with his captain, until Merrick dismissed him and Andy Gardener to leave Accrington 137-7 with 10 overs remaining.
Tucker was next in, batting wth a runner, contributing 13, until his dismissal at 162. John Bramwell strode to the crease and when he returned to the pavilion, the score was unchanged. This brought the two veterans together; Ian Birtwistle and David Lloyd. Nine to win, the overs no problem, but only one wicket left. The Bumble was on strike, Bob Holmes the bowler. The first ball was dispatched for six and, biding his time, David struck the winning boundary over square leg off the last ball of the over to complete a memorable innings of 83 not out, surely one of his best. The win took Accrington a point closer to leaders Nelson.
If you have any memories of 1986 please email Nigel Stockley