LANCASHIRE LEAGUE

By Brian Sanderson

To-day I went we Peter Mann to one of my favorite grounds Todmorden.I think everybody soon go at least once a year to this delightful ground.

The match was Todmorden against Nelson in the Lancashire League.These matches relay on the professionals for the sides.Todmorden had Qaiser Abbas who is a left hand bat and left arm spin bowler.He has played one Test match for Pakistan against England.Whilst Nelson had Ben Laughlin who has played 5 O.DI for Australia.He is a right arm medium paced bowler who was a had been playing for Netherfield.His father played in this League in 1977 .

Todmorden batted first and lost three quick wickets to Laughlin.However Abbas and the captain but a stand to-gether. Abbas scored 62 with some wild shorts before he was bowled by Laughlin who finished with five wickets. Todmorden score was 181 and the locals wanted more runs.

At tea-time I was able to speak to Malcom Heywood who with his son has writted a book about the history of Todmorden.He will be speaking at Peter Davies mettings at Golcar in March.

Nelson started well but Abbas started taking wickets.There was some poor batting and when we left eight wickets had fallen with Abbas taking six. Laughlin scored about twenty caught with a excellent catch on the boundary.Nelson needed over 60 runs in six overs with eight wickets down when we drove out of the gates.

The teams in the Lancashire League rely on the profeessional to win the matches and in this match Abbas was the difference between the two sides.The teas were excellent with home made fruit pies with cream.What more could you ask for.