Accrington v Lowerhouse (Worsley Cup Round 1)

Lowerhouse progressed to the 2nd round of the Worsley Cup after an entertaining game at Thornleyholme Road.

The visitors won the toss on a glorious day and decided to bat first.  However, they were dealt an early blow as Jack Edgar was bowled by Jimmy Hayhurst for just 2. Jonny Whitehead was going along nicely but got out on 14 after hitting it straight to Ockert Erasmus off the bowling of Simon Hanson. Hanson also claimed the wicket of Jon Finch (11) to leave the score on 42/3. However, the professional Cobus Pienaar would manage to give the innings some impetus (ably assisted by Joe Martin). He had some luck along the way (dropped by Bryn Hargreaves on 14 and nearly played on when in the 70s) but crowned his innings with a superb century, his first for the club. Hargreaves got a token of redemption by bowling him when on 104. Further late wickets saw Lowerhouse bowled out for 209 off their 50 overs.

Accrington’s response started slowly as Matt Walker dismissed both openers early on (Hanson for 4 and Sneddon for 12). Walker would complete his impressive spell with 2/20 off his 10 overs. Professional Ockert Erasmus and Ramis Hussain would begin to frustrate the visitors as they got the home towards parity. They both went past 50 and took their partnership beyond 100. There was a lack of boundaries, though, which meant the run rate was always increasing and Hussain succumbed to Paddy Martin on 58 when he missed trying to drive the spinner. This forced Erasmus to be more positive and he did so by scoring 12 off one Jon Finch over. After Martin had completed his spell, Pienaar returned to the attack and continued to create scoreboard pressure. When on 86, he finally got his man as Erasmus clobbered it to the off side but Matt Walker held firm and took what would prove to a game changing catch as Lowerhouse really put the squeeze on Accrington from this point onwards. 13 were required from the final over but Pienaar kept his nerve and restricted it to just 4 runs as Accrington closed on 202/7 off their 50 overs. Lowerhouse will now host East Lancs in the 2nd round on Saturday 14th June.

MOM went to Matt Walker for his 2/20.