Lowerhouse Cricket Club have been put forward for the Tesco Bags of Help Grant Scheme and our project will be put forward to a customer vote in Tesco stores during July and August 2017.
What happens next?
Our project which is a renewal of the outdoor nets along with the other two successful projects in our region will go forward to a vote in Tesco stores where customers will decide the outcome by voting for their favourite project each time they shop. Voting will take place from Saturday 1st July to Thursday 31st August and we will be notified by the end of September 2017 confirming the amount of funding we will receive. The project with the highest number of votes across our region will receive up to £4,000, the second placed project up to £2,000 and the third placed project £1,000.
Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local community projects.
Bags of Help offers community groups and projects across the UK a share of revenue generated from the 5p charge levied on single-use carrier bags.
To vote, you will need to make a purchase within store of any value. You will receive one token per transaction and it’s not necessary to purchase a carrier bag in order to receive a token.
The more votes the better we do, tell you friends, colleagues and family and let’s get another win for the club.
Clubs have either 5 or 6 games left in phase 1 which ends on Sunday 30th July 2017. At this point clubs in positions 1-9 will be placed in Division 1 and clubs places in positions 10-17 will be places in Division 2 at this stage all clubs in Division 1 will pay each other again the same scenario for Division 2 all points won will be carried forward into the respective league. Division 1 clubs would play 8 additional fixtures with division 2 completing a further 7 matches. Fixtures for Phase 2 will be released as quickly but, they might take some sorting out. If we use the current table as an example: Lowerhouse sit in 6th and would qualify to play in Division 1.
Ideally where possible fixtures would look to reverse those initial Phase 1 but at present 5 of the 9 clubs in the qualifying positions, we have played at home, so we might see a scenario where we play one of the sides again in Phase 2 at the same venue as we did in phase 1. House v Burnley perhaps? Clitheroe? Only time will tell. A poor run now might see us in Division 2 and a great run by sides 10th-12th or so might see them into the mix.
Plenty of food for thought and plenty can change over the next intense period between now and 30th July, all to play for – we will update you via the club’s website and social media platforms as quickly as we can, let’s enjoy the fantastic weather at present, get down and support your local clubs!
Official club photographer (press badge and everything) Bob Sandiford has compiled an album of mainly unseen photos from between 2009 to present day. Thanks again Bob – some great photos. Full album here
Well, you couldn’t write a better weekend for the club. Some flashes of brilliance by individual players and some great team performances rounded off a great treat for those celebrating Fathers Day in the sun.
Friday night, House tried to get their Twenty20 campaign back to winning ways and did it in style. Ben won the toss and stuck Ramsbottom in who put a very competitive total of 157 for 6. Paddy Martin struck with 4 wickets enhancing his lead as our leading Twenty20 wicket taker of all time with 48 wickets. In reply, Ben Heap broke his “lack of a career ton” with a fantastic innings of 106*, Ben controlled the match perfectly and saw the team home after 18.3 overs. A great achievement, well celebrated on Friday! House finished 161 for 1 with Joe Halstead and Ocki batting around Ben! Full scorecard here
On Sunday, Owen Deakin Pickard led the 2nd team out in their Quarter Final tie in the Worsley Cup – a great team performance saw them succeed and secure a place in the Semi Finals with a home tie against Colne to be played on Sunday July 9th. House batted first and amassed 260 for 5 with openers Owen (55) and Brad (63) making a great start. Joe Halstead (33) and Ethan Laraway (46) helped take the runs higher and even Joe Beneduce got a bat at the end of the innings. House bowled Church out for 99 with the wickets shared. Full scorecard here
Not happy with Friday night, Ben Heap decided this weekend was the one to smash a few club records. Not content on being the first Lowerhouse player to get a Twenty20 ton (and his first Lowerhouse one at the same time), Ben opened the batting on Sunday and finished with the highest individual innings by a Lowerhouse batsmen ever. en beat Tommy Shutts record from 1905 of 173*. Ben hit 175 off 148 balls with 18 fours and 6 sixes. Spectators watched as Ben passed milestone after milestone and he helped the House to their highest total ever of 334 off 50 overs. House got to 334 which was also the highest team total ever. On a very hot Fathers Day, Great Harwood made a resiliant 254 for 6 in reply, but House simply just got too many. Full scorecard here
The second team made the weekend 4 wins out of 4 for the weekend away at Great Harwood. Great Harwood made 163 for 9 with wickets shared and in reply Owen batted the whole innings for a great 89* with House winning by 5 wickets. Full scorecard here
Not on the cricket front, but worth a mention, on Sunday an old white caravanette drove into the ground after paying on the gate a couple in their 60s, crashed into two cars on the car park whilst parking and drove back off the ground. The rear of their vehicle and the other two cars were extensively damaged. If you have any information, please could you ring Adam on 07568590822
Ben Heap decided this weekend was the one to smash a few club records. Not content on being the first Lowerhouse player to get a Twenty20 ton (and his first Lowerhouse one at the same time), Ben opened the batting today and finished with the highest individual innings by a Lowerhouse batsmen ever.
Ben beat Tommy Shutts record from 1905 of 173*. Ben hit 175 off 148 balls with 18 fours and 6 sixes. Spectators watched as Ben passed milestone after milestone and he helped the House to their highest total ever of 334 off 50 overs.
Another great photo sent in by Jane Bradford – we think its around 1909/1910. On the photo is Mathew Walker (right sat on chair) who is Stans Great Grandad and James Walker his brother (front left)
Another photo has appeared for the History Books of the first team in 1910 (Or so we think!). The photo was sent in by Kim Bradford, who is a relation of Stan and somewhere on the photo is Stans Grandad – our expert historians are on the case, but the nearest we can get it to is 1910 – more to follow if we find out more! The photo features a trophy, which we all know had been hard to come by pre 2004. It is possibly the league trophy as we were joint runners up in 1910.
3 more games, for the third weekend in a row this weekend!
Friday Night
The Moorhouse’s Lancashire League T20 Competition returns to The Brooks Foundation Ground this Friday as Lowerhouse entertain old adversaries Ramsbottom with a 6.15 kick off.
Match Sponsors are Pendle Kitchens – thanks a lot for sponsoring!
Entry is £3.00 with Concessions £1 – download, complete and hand in the flyer attached and up to 2 kids can get in free and it also entitles you to entry into a free cash draw!
The band for the night are Neon – debut at the club for this boy / girl duo playing music from the ultimate eighties and new wave including Blondie, Eurythmics, David Bowie, INXS & many more.
Saturday
House 2nd Eleven take centre stage as they entertain Church CC in the Quarter Final of the Telegraph Cup
Full Bar & Tea Room from 12.30pm
Entry is Free – All support welcome
Sunday
1st Eleven return to League action as we entertain newcomers Great Harwood CC in a 1.00pm kick off.
Full Bar & Tea Room from 12.30pm
Live on Sky will be the Champions Trophy from the Oval
House went into their second triple header in a row, with the weather forecast looking against a lot of cricket being played.
The first team managed to get a game in on Friday night away at Todmorden in the 2nd Twenty20 of 2017. House made 107 for 8 batting first off their 20. Ocki top scored with 32 and Paddy played a great cameo for 28. Todmorden, or should we say Kelly Smuts made short work of the reply reaching it 1 down off 10.2 overs. Tod’s pro hit 84 off 37 balls including 9 sixes and 5 fours. Full scorecard here
Saturday saw a lot of sitting around and not a lot of cricket with the drizzle stopping and starting and neither the firsts or seconds managed to get a ball bowled and both walked away with 3 points.
Pie & peas and the Moorhouses were in fine form as always though.
Sunday saw the first team travel to Farnworth Social Circle in the Lancashire Knock Out. Farnworth SC play in the BCL were bowled out for 125 off 32.5. Skipper Ben took 4 for 17 off 8 whilst Ocki took 3 and Paddy 2. In reply House knocked them off 5 down with 17 overs to spare, Dean top scored with 34 with Ocki 27 and Paddy 25. House play Lancashire League newcomers for 2018 Rochdale in the next round at home on Sunday 2nd of July. Full scorecard here
The third team secured a cracking win at home against East Lancs, bowling them out for 69 with Charlie, Tom and James taking 3 wickets each. House made short work of the reply smashing it off 8.5 overs. Caleb hit 24* and Ross 34*. Full scorecard here
Of the hundreds of letters I have written to the Burnley Express on sport and politics a prime favourite of mine is the one I wrote in August 2004 on Chris Bleazard and Lowerhouse following the historic Worsley Cup win that secured the club’s first trophy. The Express gave it exceptional prominence, with a banner headline and a photo of Chris being borne shoulder-high by his team mates.
Now Chris has turned 50 and following his recent master-class against Clitheroe I hope this repetition of a tribute to him on his finest hour will make good reading on the club’s website.
FITTING END TO A REAL FAIRYTALE
The thing about fairytales is that once in a blue moon they come true. The latest rare example is surely the story of Chris Bleazard and Lowerhouse Cricket Club.
Winning the club’s first major trophy after 142 years of unavailing effort, comprehensively outplaying Haslingden in the process, is in itself good cause for euphoric celebration and is just reward for the outstanding teamwork on and off the field that is currently in evidence at the West End.
But the magic ingredient, the bit that will ensure this triumphant episode is committed permanently to the folk memory of local cricket lovers, came right at the end when the winning hit streaked from the bat of the man who is perhaps the finest playing servant Lowehouse has ever had. For superbly good measure, and to prove that fact can sometimes outdo romantic fiction, that historic boundary sealed Bleazard’s own undefeated century.
My thoughts go back to the 1990 season when Chris set a new amateur batting record for the club. His aggregate of 857 was not a real measure of his excellence in that year, because the runs came as he batted with typical unselfishness to prop up a struggling side. That was around the time I was reporting Lowehouse games for the Express and, though I enjoyed trying, I felt inadequate to the task of conveying just how rich was his vein of form. It would have taken an Arlott or a Cardus to do full justice to the grace and power of his stoke play and his domination over the unfortunate opposing bowlers.
Since then his loyalty to the Lowerhouse cause has been an inspiration within the club and a cause of wonderment to some outsiders. He could, as others more ego-ridden have done, have flitted from club to club in search of easy glory. He could also have earned decent money as a professional in other leagues. Instead he has been true to his own character and values by carrying on with what he enjoys most – playing cricket with his mates at the club where he grew up.
At 37, still marvellously fit and the best fielder in the side, he looks good for another 10 years as a major force in the game. How fitting it was that Charlie Cottam’s dismissal in the cup final, after a splendid knock, should see Chris joined at the wicket for the final act by his 16-year old nephew, Ben Heap, who earlier in the day had been the pick of the Lowehouse bowlers. Ben is a highly promising all-rounder and could with any luck progress beyond league cricket. Whatever level he reaches he will never have a better role model than his uncle.
House started off the weekend with the first Twenty20 game of the season at home to Darwen. After being stuck in to bat we got off to a rocky start being 3 for 3 off 4 overs. After losing Ben, Charlie and Joe Hawke early on Paddy and Ocki steadied the ship. We managed 88 for 7 off our 20. Darwen knocked them off after 15.5 overs with 3 wickets down. They even brought their mascot, The Darwen Tower. Full scorecard here.
On Saturday the firsts were put into bat away at Bacup and managed the win of the weekend. They managed their 3rd highest league total ever making 300 after a great start from Dean and Ben. Ocki top scored with 88 with Paddy and Ben both scoring half centuries. The match had 4 minor rain breaks and Bacup has a reduced target of 262 from 46 overs. House restricted them to 181 for 9 with Toxy and Ocki taking 3 wickets a piece. Full scorecard here
The second team in the reverse fixture walked away with a win after posting 260 for 7 off their 45. Brad Wright top scored with 67 with Owen adding 42 also. Bacup only managed 197 for 8 off their 45 with Curtis, Tom and Robson taking two wickets a piece. Full scorecard here
For the third and final game of the weekend, we welcomed Clitheroe to the Brooks Foundation Ground for the first time in the league. After a very slow start and being 38 for 4 after 23 overs, Blez joined Ocki and the pair put on a 100 runs partnership. Blez made 62 as he passed another legendary milestone of 100 Lancashire League half centuries. House finished on 182 for 7 with Ocki making 58 also. Clitheroe got off to a rocky start with some tight bowling from Joey Hawke but Clitheroe managed to get home 5 wickets down in 47.3 overs. Full scorecard here
The second team were also beaten away at Clitheroe. Clitheroe made 220 for 9 off their 45. Robson took 4 wickets with Jordan and Curtis 2 a piece. House finished 179 for 9 off their 45, with Clitheroe taking the points. Full scorecard here
This weekend Lowerhouse Cricket Club is delighted to welcome back an hero of yester year as all rounder Jon Hartley visits the club as match sponsor along with long term sponsor Donnie Doran.
Jon and Donnie are sponsoring the T20 game against league newcomers Darwen on Friday night. Jon will need no introduction to older club members playing for the club between 1978 and 1980 having joined from local rivals Burnley.
Jon was a right arm medium fast bowler and left handed batsmen who did the amateur double of 50 wickets and 500 runs in 1980, the first Lancashire League amateur player in 35 years to do so and only the second Lowerhouse player to achieve the feat at the time, the first being Tommy Shutt in 1906.
After that stellar season Jon left the club taking a pro role with Padiham Cricket Club and later playing Minor Counties Cricket with Oxfordshire where he now lives.
Jon is probably best remembered for his contribution to the run to the 1980 Worsley Cup (Martini Trophy) Final where he scored an unbeaten 50 in our final defeat to East Lancs. It was another 24 years before Lowerhouse got the final and eventually won their first ever Lancashire League silverware.
Jon’s Lancashire League Stats – Can be seen by clicking here
The Martini Cup Final Scorecard – Can be seen by clicking here
The Lancashire League 500 and 50 Club – Click Here
It will be great to see Jon back at the club and we hope he is a more regular visitor in future seasons!
It was a Bank Holiday weekend of misfortune for the House starting with the Third Team who played away at Clitheroe and faced their 4th eleven. Clitheroe posed 179 all out off 36 overs with Robson and Yousaf taking 3 wickets each and James Wearden 2. In reply Jack Simm top scored with 77, with no other batters making over 20. House were bowled out for 167, just 12 short off 35.5 overs. Full scorecard here
The big derby day was Sunday with the first and second eleven facing Burnley infront of a massive crowd. Batting first the first team posted 168 for 8 off their 50 overs seemingly unable to kick into 5th gear with the bat. Charlie top scored with 42, with Ocki (39) and Dean (38) helping the total. Burnley got off to a rapid reply before House turned the screw with a few wickets and got over the line 6 down after 43 overs. Toxy and Paddy took 2 wickets a piece. Full scorecard here
The second team also came second on Derby Day. The full scorecard isn’t available yet, but CricHQ will be updated when it is!
The third teams game versus Enfield was called off due to rain at 2pm on Monday.
Sunday is the welcome return of the ASDA FOUNDATION PENNINE LANCASHIRE 10K
There are a number of road closures in operation between 4.00am and 3.00pm so plan your route to The Brooks Foundation Ground for the Foster’s Lancashire League game.
Once again Lowerhouse CC are pleased to offer Free Entry to our “Clash with Clitheroe” for entries in the 10K on presentation of their run number or medal at the gate
Gates Open 12.15pm, Start 1.00pm
Full Bar & Tea Room facilities from 12.30pm
Parking will be at a premium so plan to arrive early and please give consideration to local residents and road traffic regulation if you park outside
Good luck to all our sponsors who have teams taking part and to all the individuals raising money and awareness for their chose causes
Lowerhouse CC are very sad to hear of the passing of Enfield stalwart Geoff Dixon.
On a personal note I liked Geoff immensely. As a young cricketer I played against Geoff in his pomp and always found him to be a complete gentleman as well as a very fine player. As I began looking after the seconds and thirds I would encounter Geoff at Enfield looking after the domestics at second and third eleven fixtures. We always had a good chat about cricket, ancient and modern, and I always admired the way in which such a good player , and high ranking Enfield official, was still doing the hard work stuff that keeps a cricket club operating on a match day.
People like Geoff are the backbone of any club – A player then an official, a worker, and above all a thoroughly decent blokesteeped in cricket and his club ,
Our sympathies go to Geoff’s family and to all at Enfield CC
