Title Hopes Suffer A Blow!

Reigning Lancashire League Champions Rishton dealt a blow to our outside title hopes on a wet day at Liverpool Road.

After much mopping up play began at 3.30 in a 31 overs per side contest.  Charlie won the toss and decided to field.  However, the lads slipped to a 11 run defeat.  Veteran John Seedle (44), Sam Hacking (25) and Tiarnan Hamill (21 not out) were the main players as Rishton’s posted 127-6 from their 31 overs. Chris Benbow collected 3-36 for House.

The House innings got off to a slow start as Rishton pro Saeed Anwar Jr found the conditions to his liking and proved difficult to score off. He finished with figures of 6-32 as House fell 11 runs short being dismissed for 116. Barry Hamilton collected 3-75.

In truth House were struggling to make inroads into the total with only Hassan Khan scoring fluently making 26.  However some big overs from Chris Benbow who top scored with 27, and the skipper Charlie Cottam (19) gave House hope and with 2 overs remaining 12 runs were needed with two wickets left.  Jack McGregor was run out the first ball of the penultimate over and Chris Benbow took the strike.  Benbow was dismissed with the final ball of the over caught at 3rd man by John Seedle to leave House 11 runs short.

All is not lost however as league leaders Accrington suffered an heavy defeat against in form Nelson meaning our 4 bonus points actually took us closer to the leaders with 8 games to play.  Rawtenstall secured 10 points against Ramsbottom and Haslingden were beaten by Bacup making the hunt for the league title a four horse race.  Next weekend the lads face a double header against East Lancs and Church.

Remaining Fixtures

16 Aug – East Lancs (Away)

17 Aug – Church (Home)

23 Aug  – Rawtenstall (Home)

24 Aug  – Church (Away)

30 Aug – Bacup (Away)

31 Aug – Ramsbottom (Home)

6 Sep – Nelson (Home)

7 Sep – Accrington (Away)

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