1982: Lively Lofty Lifts Leaders

Another great post from BCTHIC (Original post here)

Lowerhouse skipper Alan Holden, forced to field four teenagers in a depleted side, led from the front on Saturday to put the league leaders right back on course for the title. Bowling his fastest for three years the 6ft 3 in tall left-arm paceman returned career best figures of seven for 33 to ensure a five point victory over Accrington. Since the days when he was plucked from the Burnley Sunday School league as a promising young quickie Holden’s bowling style has changed. Troubled by knee and back injuries he has in recent seasons, slowed his pace and gone for more control and accuracy. But on Saturday he was back to his fastest and with devastating effect. As Accrington chased a difficult target of 175 off 34 overs, the Lowerhouse opening attack of Holden and Bromley proved a match winning combination. Roger Bromley made the vital breakthrough removing both openers, pro Darryl Smith and leading run getter Graham Beech with only 26 on the board. Once Holden had trapped 16 year old Adrian Varley lbw there was no stopping him. The Lowerhouse captain ripped through the heart of the Accrington batting taking the next five wickets in four overs, including a remarkable catch by Phil Astin diving forward at square leg to scoop up the ball just inches off the ground. Professional Evan Gray who had bowled tidily from the Pavilion end was rewarded with the wicket of Stevenson.
Earlier the Lowerhouse batsmen had done their job with six of them reaching double figures. After sharing an opening stand with Gray (20) Stan Heaton dominated the early part of the innings, striking five fours and a six in his 44. At 106 for 4 in the 24th over, a lot depended on Phil Astin with a lot of inexperienced batting to come and he shared in stands of 35 with Jez Hope (16) and 18 with John Ormerod before being out for a valuable 41. Roger Bromley (13 not out) made a bright contribution. Peter Higgs said “In my view this was one of the best days of the season, glorious sunshine and good cricket, what more could you want?” Gate £56, Holden collection £16.50.