Lancashire League Handbook 2013

16 and LewisWright on 16.. In the Worsley Cup, their were first round wins for Accrington, Lowerhouse, Nelson, East Lancs, Bacup and Haslingden and they were joined in the second round by Church and Enfieldwho had drawn byes for the 2nd successive season. Victories for Church, Lowerhouse,Accrington and eventually East Lancashire produced semi finals at Accrington against Church and East Lancashire who hosted Lowerhouse. I say eventually as East Lancs were due to host Enfield in the 2nd round on 9th June and twelve days were eventually scheduled but the game was only completed after the match was moved to Dill Hall Lane due to ground problems at Alexandra Meadows. This was a decision which some agreed with and some definitely didn't but sometimes decisions have to be taken and this was one of a fewwhich upset traditionalists and we apologise to those who were upset but we had to keep the season going somehow! The semi finals were due to be played on the 24th June but the East Lancs v Enfield game wasn't settled until 12th July. The first semi final was Accrington v Church which was curtailed with Accrington on 104 for 2 after 23.3 overs. An agreement had been made between both captains that if 25 overs were completed in the first innings it would mean that play would continue midweek but if not then the game would be restarted, from scratch on the 4th ofAugust. In the replay, Church made 277 for 5 from their 50 overs with SaeedAnwar top scoring with 93 after Church had put on 80 for the first wicket with Sam Holt contributing 55. In reply. Accrington slumped to 91 for 5 but Ashar Zaidi made 83 andAccrington rallied to 183 for 5 but then fell away to 188 all out. In the other semi final at Alexandra Meadows, East Lancashire hosted Lowerhouse whomade 219 for 7 from their 50 overs with Joe Hawke top scoring on 70. East Lancashire struggled in reply and at one stage were 83 for 7, rallied to 132 but still ended 87 short with Fergus Bailey the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 27. Church drew home advantage for the final for the second successive season but this year the weather was much improved and play was only interrupted once during the day. Ben Heap survived some early LBW appeals and went on to make 77, which was the basis of a total of 192 for 9 from their 50 overs. At 77 for 5 Church were facing an uphill battle but SaeedAnwar andAdam Greenwood put on 56 to take the score to 133 for 6. Saeed Anwar looked to be controlling the game but Jon Finch returned to the attack and Anwar was bowled for 70 leaving the score at 170 for 7 and after that Church fell away to 177 all out with an over left.