2016 preview: 5 minutes with Bob!

Time to catch up with another non-player – Bob Sandiford

Who is your favourite all time Lowerhouse Amateur and why?

My family have always been involved with Lowerhouse.  My dad has always gone on, mum worked in the tea room for 15 years and I played as a Junior.   I only returned to watch the ‘House when I retired from being a very average amateur cricketer in the Ribblesdale Leagues around 2001.

Blez was our best player in the late 80’s and still is. He has continually adapted his playing style to maximum effect.  His current ‘trademark’ shot – Using his feet to advance down the wicket before launching a lofted straight drive out of the ground is a fine sight.

It is always a pleasure to see young cricketers who have come through the Lowerhouse junior ranks step up to 1st team cricket.

Who is your favourite all time Lowerhouse Pro and why?

It would be hard to split Andrew M, Frankie H & Ryan H.  They took Lowerhouse to a new level including the League and Cup wins. All three gave 100% both on and off the field and still remain good friends of the club.

One my most memorable moments occurred at Bacup CC.  Ryan was to bowl at the Bacup incoming batter, Chris Cairns, an explosive New Zealand with plenty of International experience.  Ryan’s first ball was quick but was met with a textbook forward defensive from Cairns.  The second almost decapitated him.  Next ball, Ryan got one to nip back and remove Cairn’s middle stump which flew towards the boundary and sparked a minor pitch invasion.

Cairn’s exacted his retaliation in the return fixture by smashing most of our bowling over Rosegrove which ended our title hopes.

What was your favourite game of the 2015 Season?

Had to be the Burnley game at home.

What was your favourite game of the all time?

It has to be the Semi & Final of the Worsley Cup in 2004.  I had seen us lose in the Worsley (Martini) Cup Final at East Lancs in 1980.  This was the first time the ‘House had competed for any silverware in their entire history.  A huge following from Lowerhouse saw our dreams shattered.

We harboured no ambitions of reaching a cup final in 2004 as in the Semi Final at the ‘House, Enfield professional, Alviro Peterson, blasted 148 in a total of 314.  In reply, Blez and Charlie took the battle to Enfield, kept up with the run rate and put us in with a shout in the last overs.  ‘House legends Joe B and Ben H knocked off the runs in the final over.  I have never seen my dad so animated as he ran wildly onto the pitch, arms aloft, with an equally exuberant Frank Porter.

The scene was set for the final.  A home tie v Haslingden.  We were determined as a club and the supporters that it would be a big day at the ‘House and we weren’t disappointed.  Gazebos lined the Lowerhouse Lane side in a generous drink & tent offer provided by the club.  Erection of the Gazebo’s was bit of an issue as we tried to put them up in strong winds in the morning.  I guy-roped mine to a telegraph pole to avoid it being blown out of the ground (like some did).  To see a 3,000+ crowd down at the ‘House was something special.  As was the finish.  Again, Charlie & Blez dug deep to put us in with a chance. Blez hit the boundary to bring up his century in failing light and with it came our first ever trophy.  Cue pandemonium.  Players, officials and supporters swarmed haphazardly on the pitch.  No one could believe what had happened.

My hangover lasted a week but it was one of the best.

What are your predictions for 2016?

I wish I could predict or anticipate the weather.  There were some desperately cold days at the Liverpool Road end early last season.  Hopefully, but unlikely, I’ll bring some appropriate clothing.

Things, at the moment, will depend on who we get as professional along with the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of amateurs.

We’ll definitely be competitive.

What do you miss most about cricket in the winter?

I miss being able to turn up at any given ground to have a drink and a laugh with people who are totally committed to the ‘House cause but also appreciate other clubs, supporters and the cricket.  The introduction of real ales in many clubs is an added bonus.

The Clarets offer the winter distraction.

Up the ‘House.  Up the Clarets.