ON THIS DAY by Paul Hargreaves
13th September 1987
Rishton vs Lowerhouse
It was the end of a testing season for Lowerhouse as they visited Blackburn Rd., Rishton. Some relief seemed to be the unavailabilty through illness of Rishton’s mega-signing the great Viv Richards. Indeed Lowerhouse were the only team he didn’t face in the season, leaving a gap in his C.V. ‘House won the toss and decided to bat first. They soon lost teenager Craig Heaton for just a single. He was a promising batter who had already made a Lancashire League half century at the time of his sudden and tragic death. The main run getters on the day were Phil Astin(36), Stan Heaton(28) and Jez Hope with 27. Astin topped 5,000 runs in his Lowerhouse career and later became a much respected groundsman. He might have not been the most naturally talented player, but always sold his wicket dearly. I think fans really appreciate that particular quality.Jez Hope, meanwhile, was struggling to be a front line batsman but his career was waiting to be transformed as a very successful pace bowler. Lowerhouse’s fortunes peaked at 110-4. Only Brian Higgin of the last six batsmen reached double figures and the side were dismissed for 142. The wickets were split four each, between Rishton stalwart Robbie Walsh and Tony Yates , who had a much briefer career at Blackburn Rd. Lowerhouse had Rishton in bother early at 23-2. It was then that leading amateur Phil Sykes took over the game. His 82 not out was easily the dominant innings of the match. Two years later, he made a brilliant 116 not out to lead Rishton to success at Liverpool Rd , in what had seemed an improbable chase. Sykes was not just a thorn in the Lowerhouse side because he was one of the elite amateurs that passed the 10,000 run barrier. Lowerhouse were incapacitated by pro’ Tom Hogan not bowling, and despite, veteran Alan Holden’s 4-48, Rishton got home with four wickets to spare. Lowerhouse had started the 1987 season with higher hopes than their 12th place final position. Rishton were fourth.