ON THIS DAY by Paul Hargreaves
23rd August 1913
Rawtenstall vs Lowerhouse
The last full year of peace before all hell let loose and a catastrophic World War began. Unlike in 1938 there would be little or no foreboding of what lay in store as they enjoyed a really tense match. Rawtenstall won the toss and decided to bat. At 12-2 early, they might have soon had regrets. Harold Clegg(24) and Maden Disley(26) led a recovery of sorts. The latter was a really gifted amateur cricketer. He played a couple of games for Lancashire Seconds but is remembered as a great servant of Rawtenstall C.C. He helped them win the League Championship in 1904, In his 328 games he took 235 wickets but was more prolific as a batsman. His final total is easily recalled.. …it was 6,666. The devil’s number plus another digit for good measure. Rocky had reached a relatively cosy 70-3 when the collapse ensued. They slumped quickly to 71-7 before being all out four runs short of three figures. It was a virtuoso performance, like so many others, by the great Tommy Shutt who took 7-31. He was backed up by H.S. Hughes with a handy 3-19. Lowerhouse started strongly and put on 37 for the first wicket when Shutt, possibly in a pinch hitting role, was stumped for 25. The Clitheroe born Richard Harrison was ‘House pro’ and he now had the task of holding the innings together. He made 41, the highest on either side, and at 81-3, the visitors looked in charge. As we know it’s never that straightforward for Lowerhouse and their supporters, and they tried to give it away with a collapse of their own. Only the experienced Joe Cook(10) made much of a contribution and six wickets went for the addition of just eleven runs. When Needham and Ted Drabble got together in the last chance saloon, five were needed to get over the line. Ted became a respected Club official in later years and was the father of two significant ‘House players, Joe and Len. Fortunately cool heads prevailed and a nervy win was accomplished. As was customary the action continued until 7 p.m. and the last pair were still unbeaten with the total reaching 117. They were just showing off! Rawtenstall’s pro’ George Leach took five wickets and amateur Fred Haworth dismissed the other four. Leach was one of the very few first class players to be born in Malta. Rawtenstall were tenth in the final 1913 standings, one place and one point above Lowerhouse.