We’re quietly confident that the weather will pick up suffice for the game to get played tonight, wicket has been covered and is fit ready to play – however as always we are governed by the weather gods
We will keep you updated throughout the day and early evening
Whatever the weather Blackjacks will play
By Paul Hargreaves
Partly inspired by our visit to Bentgate this Sunday but mostly by Ben Heap’s great and historical innings last week, we shall take a look at the match where Tommy Shutt set the original batting record. Before any of you cynics out there speculate whether I actually was an eye witness to this game or whether Blez played in it; the answer is of course NO. The oldest Lancashire League fan I know is Ted Marshall who in his 102nd year is still getting on to support his beloved Accrington C.C. Haslingden versus Lowerhouse played on June 16th, 1905 took place over 10 years before even Ted was born in Altham. Lowerhouse batted first on the day but were in some trouble at 30-3. Joseph Cook went for 10 and the same bowler, F Tattersall, bowled the ‘House pro’ Ernest Vost for a duck. Cook was Lowerhouse’s most prolific pre-War batter. Vost was in the last of his 3 consecutive seasons as our professional. He was a steady, competent all-rounder. He didn’t play at First Class level but after leaving Lowerhouse had 5 seasons with Staffordshire in the Minor Counties. At 30-3 it was a case of cometh the hour cometh the man as Lowerhouse’s best all rounder Tommy Shutt came to the crease. He was very much the local hero having been born in the village and had reached Second Eleven status with Lancashire. Tommy was a better bowler than a batter but could occasionally, to put it crudely, ‘go off on one’ with his attacking batting. In his only season at Burnley the previous year he’d made 2 centuries including one where he made 164. So what happened next was by no means a complete surprise. Tommy made 173 not out from the 256 runs that were scored whilst he was in the middle. There were no 6’s awarded for balls clearing the boundary in this era so what the modern equivalent would have been for Shutt’s final score we’ll never know. We can strongly suspect Ben Heap would have needed much nearer 200 to break the record! The best partnership was an unbroken one for the sixth wicket of 109. This was dominated by Shutt and his partner Harry Hemingway just made 22 of those runs. Hemingway was a Yorkshireman from the East Keswick district of Leeds. He had left Lowerhouse in 1892 but had returned for a 3-year spell starting in this 1905 season. When his cricketing days were over he made a name for himself in crown green bowls. The pinnacle of his career in that sport was in 1917 when he contested the final of the sport’s chief tournament namely the Waterloo Handicap in Blackpool. Haslingden had tried everything to try to stop the Shutt bandwagon and 8 bowlers were used but to little avail as the onslaught went on. A demoralised Haslingden were soon 2-2 in reply with both catches going into Hemingway’s safe hands. Hassy’s highest scorer on the day was their star amateur George Parker with 25. On any list of the Lancashire League’s best ever amateur batsmen, which would include our own Chris Bleazard, Parker’s name is sure to figure. In a bowler friendly era he set a then record of nearly 13000 League runs. Most of his career was at Haslingden but he also had significant success at Accrington. The rest of the Bentgate outfit offered little resistance. Vost earned his fee with 5-39, the irrepressible Shutt had 3-19 and Hemingway chipped in with 2-25. Haslingden were gone for 93 and the ‘House’s margin of victory was a daunting 193 runs. We can only speculate if they allowed themselves a few celebratory drinks in the Woolpack before the journey back to the village. I’d like to think they did as they’d earned it. Maybe Shutt’s collection went over the bar! It had been a game to remember for all those concerned with a proud Lowerhouse Cricket Club but with the scoring system as it was they’d just picked up a mere 2 points! Let’s hope they can get more than that total this Sunday as 112 years and a handful of days later they visit the same Bentgate ground again.
Same team Sunday Haslingden away with Barlow for Meehan
Scorer Martin
Saturday 3XI vs Bacup (Home)
Res. Chir K, Bridge J Manager Nicholas D, scorer Chir K, Umpire Howley
Sunday 2XI –- Haslingden home
Res. Bridge T, Halstead T, Simm J
Scorer Gaynor, Manager Stansfield P
There was plenty of questions, discussions this weekend as Phase 2 of the Lancashire League approaches:
As it stands here is the current table
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!
Frank Entwistle
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.
You can watch Bens standing ovation as he got out here.
House beat Great Harwood, full weekend roundup to follow tomorrow
Bob Sandiford has sent over some great photos of the season so far. Full album here
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)
Same team Sunday Great Harwood home with Barlow for Stuart
Scorer Martin
Saturday 2XI Church (Home)
Sunday Reserves. Birchall, Simm D, Wearden, Wheatcroft
Scorer Gaynor, Manager Stansfield P
3XI – No game
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
Same team Saturday East Lancs home and Sunday Farnworth S.C. away home with Barlow and Bleazard for ODP and StansfieldScorer Martin G
Friday U19 Wrenegades Middleton (Home)
Manager Nicholas, umpire Howley, scorer Gaynor
Meet LHCC 5.30 or near as for 6.15 starts
Reserves. Simm D, Wearden, Wheatcroft Scorer Gaynor, Manager Stansfield P
From
Res. Chir Y, HarrisonManager Nicholas D, scorer Chir K, Umpire Howley
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.
Harry Brooks, Bouldsworth Road, Burnley
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
Photos vs Burnley are now online – thanks as ever to Keith Hawke. Full album available here
Same team Saturday Bacup away, Sunday Clitheroe home with Barlow and Bleazard for Stuart and Meehan
Scorer Gaynor Friday, Martin weekend
Saturday – Second XI vs Bacup (Home)
Scorer Chir Saturday,Gaynor Sunday
Manager Stansfield P
Reserves. Birchall, Stein, Wearden, Wheatcroft
Same Sunday, Clitheroe away
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.
Hugh Burkinshaw captured some photos of the Under 9s tournament at Hyde. Full album here.
Lowerhouse v Clitheroe
Sunday 4th June 2017
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.
All the information about the run here
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
