House Slip At Accy On Saturday But Beat The Champs On Sunday!

House lost the battle of the top two at Accrington on Saturday losing by 23 runs at Thorneyholme Road. House had Accrington on the ropes as they slipped to 44-6 thanks to some good bowling from Franky and Fergus. Openers Simon Hanson and Jimmy Hayhurst put on 19 before Hanson was trapped lbw by Fergus Bailey (3-38). Hayhurst followed without addition trapped in front by Francois for 11. Franky then cleaned up Stuart Crabtree just 4 runs later. Accrington pro, Ashar Zaidi made just 7 before chipping Fergus to Jonny Russell at mid on. Fergus then picked up Graeme Sneddon for 12 when the left hander chipped him to Joe Beneduce at mid off. Franky picked up his 3rd wicket when Mitch Taylor by Chris Bleazard and Accrington were on the ropes at 44-6. Graham Lloyd and Matt Wilson then rebuilt the innings with a match winning partnership of 85 for the 7th wicket. Wilson rode his luck a little hitting three fours and a six in making a 35. Andy Greenwood (9) then added 22 with Lloyd before bringing Bleazard into the game at gulley again. Lloyd fell in Haasbroek’s last over of the innings for an excellent 55. Bryn Hargreaves was then cleaned up by Franky to give Lowerhouse 2 bowling points. Big Franky  finished with 7-57 from 19.5 overs as Accrington were all out for 155.

In reply Jimmy Hayhurst picked up Joe Martin without scoring and then Jon Finch marked his return with the unluckiest of dismissals. The all rounder smashed David Ormerod towards short leg where the fielder was hit on the shoulder taking evasive action. The ball ballooned up and the quick thinking wicketkeeper Wilson dived to hold the catch. Hayhurst then had Ben Heap brilliantly caught by Zaidi at slip for 16, before Ormerod removed the pro who had struggled for a  19 ball duck. Blez and Fergus took the score from 34 to 66 before Blez lofted the Zaidi to the long on boundary where Taylor took a good catch. Fergus was then  stumped by Wilson for 11 leaving House struggling at 66-6. Charlieand Paddy fought back to take House into bonus points territory. Paddy looked dangerous but was adjudged lbw by Zaidi for 25. Charlie was removed the same over for 16. House continued to attackto try and secure as many points as possible and Matt Walker was caught at long on by Greenwood before Russell was caught at deep mid wicket by Hanson in the final over to give Accrington 12 points. Zaidi returned figures of  5-39 and Ormerod 3-50 in a match that was reduced to 47 overs a-side.

On Sunday, reigning champions Ramsbottom came to town and were beaten in a thrilling encounter. House won by 3 wickets with just a ball to spare. Paddy Martin was the hero hitting the decisive boundary in Michael Haslam’s last over after House had needed 8 runs from the final 6 balls.

The game was rain effected and didn’t get under way until 20 past 3. It was a 30 overs a-side game and tight bowling by Finchy (4-35), Fergus (2-39) the pro (1-32) enabled House to restrict Ramsbottom to 113-7. David Bell made 30, adding 41 for the 3rd wicket with his professional Shanan Stewart who made 23 and 24 for the 4th wicket with his brother Alex who made 24.

In reply Mick Haslam removed Finchy (4) at 16 and skipper Jon Fielding had Joe Martin (8) well caught by Andy Hakin at mid wicket. Ben Heap made 22 before lofting Haslam to Keith Webb at long off. Chris Bleazard who was sent in to up the ante perished in the same manner for 10 having hit Fielding for a big 6 towards the park the previous over.  Fielding trapped hCharlie “in front” without scoring to leave the House on 73-5. Franky batted excellently for 28 before being yorked by Fielding. Joe Beneduce hit Fielding for for a huge six before being undone in the next over by Mick Haslam. However Paddy Martin (16 not out) and Matt Walker (6 not out) put on a vital 18 to win the match after going into the last over needing 8 for victory.

House are 27 points clear at the head of the table with 3 games to play.  Accrington, who have 4 games to play, including a potential decider at Lowerhouse on the final day of the season, sit in second place with Ramsbottom and Todmorden a little further behind in third and fourth.