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Nelson 200-9, Accrington 199-9 An emotion charged match at Seedhill brought the curtain down on the career of Accrington's legendary skipper Alan Worsick in a match that saw Nelson emerge with a 1 run victory thanks to a career best bowling performance by Peter Gildea who took 6-71. After a career spanning three decades Alan Worsick was to retire. Nelson won the toss and batted on a perfect pitch. At 80-0, Alan came on to bowl. After conceding 17 runs in 5 overs, he took himself off. Ian Birtwistle removed Howard Lonsdale (18) at 87 and Ian Clarkson (72) at 92. Future Australian captain Steve Waugh was Nelson's professional. The Australian fell to Tony Gallagher for 25 with the score on 144. Sub professional Ian Austin removed Paul Garaghty for 50 at 170. The score was 172-4 in the 39th over when Alan came back for one last spell. Two wickets in his first over proved that the magic was still there. Alan finished with 5-22 in 9 overs, his second spell brought him 5 wickets for 5 runs. Alan was applauded off the field at the end of the innings. Accrington needed a total of 201 to win. Waugh removed opener Nick Marsh for 6 with the total on 12 with Gildea accounting for Neil Barnes (16) at 55. Austin was next to go after making 66 from 55 balls with seven fours and two sixes. Gildea also dismissed Graham Beech (32) and Paul Barratt (9) with Waugh sending back Jim Stevenson (4). The score was 167-6 in the 42nd over when Alan joined Billy Rawstron (33) at the crease to a standing ovation. Off his first ball, Alan scored a single. The next ball finished up in the car park as he seemed intent on going out in blaze of glory. Sadly it was not to be. Alan's last innings ended when he was bowled by Gildea for 12. The crowd rose again and applauded Alan all the way back to the pavilion. The career of one of the club's best and most popular players was over. In his career at Accrington, Alan had scored 2,714 runs and taken 873 wickets in the Lancashire League. Accrington went on to lose the match by 1 run. Scorecard If you have any memories of 1987 please email Nigel Stockley
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