SUNSHINE IN RAWTENSTALL

By Brian Sanderson,

Looking at the BBC. weather forecast I decided to go to the Lancashire rather than to Wickersley.Bob Procter had not watched a match at Rawtenstall and who,s ground is situated on Bacup Road.They were playing Enfield and both sides were middle of the table.Since I had visited the ground a new clubhouse has been built and also a new refreshment shed.One disappointment in the clubhouse was there were no old pictures of the players or teams.

There were pools of water on old bowlers foot marks but with the help of the sun and sawdust they started at 1.00p.m.Enfield won the toss and bowled on a green wicket.
There was a slow start but soon wickets started to fall including Rawtenstall professional.He is a Sri Lankan named Nilantha Cooray who has not been resigned for next year yet.He was run out when the other batsman refused to run for a impossible single.He walked slowly off looking at the other batsman.Enfield professional Werner Coetsee bowled spin for the full innings taking three wickets for nineteen runs.
Rawtenstall were bowled out for 97 but the sun was shining.

We decided to watch the start of Enfield innings.They also struggled but The professional took control.We watched Cooray bowl one over of spin and decided to go to Todmorden. It this stage Enfield wanted forty runs to win with only one wicket down.I found at home they won by eight wickets.

Moving on to Todmorden who were playing Lowerhouse who needed seven points to win the league.When we arrived Lowerhouse had scored 127 with Todmorden professional taking six wickets for fifty-five in twenty five overs.Good bowling.Todmorden had lost three wickets for nineteen including the professional. There was a large crowd and had been drinking all afternoon which pleased Todmorden Committee.We stopped about one hour and saw four more wickets fall.Todmorden were bowled out for eighty-two with Lowerhouse winning the League.More beer would be drunk.

A good day in sunshine with good company.A day to remember in a dark day in February watching football on the television.