It’s lovely when people comment positively about the column and I’ll mention later a couple of compliments people took the trouble to deliver personally over the last week.
But I have to admit a couple of readers have expressed concerns that musings about Cherry Tree, Brinscall and sundry Bolton grounds I get to are of little interest to Observer stalwarts.
So I make no apology this week for making news of Accrington (as well as Rishton and a bit of Church) front and centre of the piece.
I always reckon a low-scoring thriller beats a run-riot six-fest anyday of the week and Sunday’s match at Blackburn Road was a classic of the former genre.
Accrington went to Rishton top of the league and in a position of seeming strength but while events elsewhere threatened that status, for long periods of the game Jacob Clarke`s men themselves looked unlikely to cement that stronghold on top spot and indeed at times it seemed they might even end the afternoon pointless and back in third berth with four to play.
But teams who win titles and promotions dig deep and find a bit extra when they are staring into an abyss and with the home side 60 for two requiring only 117 to win, Crompton already having banked 12 points as the Rishton scorer was keen to inform me and Nelson in charge of their game, the boys summoned every ounce of collective spirit and determination to drag themselves out of a situation which had looked for all the world like leaving them out of the promotion places.
Even on a wicket which at times could be described as spiteful - and I know the umpires considered it short of standards, I`m not just expressing a personal view -
The visitors made a bit of a hash of it in being bowled out for a paltry 116.
I`d reckoned 140 would be competitive, 160 probably a winning score if the team batting first - Rishton won the toss and inserted understandably - batted the overs out but Accrington were done in less than 40 of the available 50.
Both openers were out within an over of each other - a pattern that`s become a theme in recent weeks - but when talismanic pro Jurie Snyman was comprehensively bowled by his opposite number Kieran Grimshaw for just two you knew Accrington were in difficulty.
Captain Clarke held firm with Emile Haratbar for a time but just asJacob looked to break the shackles with a six of Ali Sartaj, Emile fell later in the over to a splendid slip grab by returning Brad Boddie.
When Sam Malloy was bowled and Kian Farnworth fell run out in a manner which only happens when brains are collectively scrambled, at 66 for six even three figures looked a long way off.
So it was reassuring to see vastly-experienced Jon Hayhurst dig in at eight to add 40 with the skipper. Jon batted 59 balls for his 19, ended by another Boddie catch while Jacob`s vigil occupied 75 deliveries for 38, Asad Khan chipping in with nine late on while the last four wickets fell for just ten.
At 12 for two replying it looked as though nobody was going to get to grips with the pitch but Rishton pro Grimshaw had other ideas and wisely decided that poking and prodding about wasn’t the answer.
A flurry of hsimpressive stroke play took the score to 60 and at one point so frazzled were the Accy fielders that I noted three of them, pro included, still discussing offside alterations and switching positions even as Kian Farnworth was running into bowl.
Richard Fox was taking no notice as the ensuing delivery ended up inviting him to clip through square leg for four.
Farnworth was replaced by Asad Khan who promptly induced an edge to Haratbar from Fox which was small encouragement for Accrington but then came the real turning point.
Grimmy had taken another boundary off Snyman, notably the only one the Accy paid man conceded in his 15 overs, before a rush of blood at the start of the hitherto wicketless South African`s tenth saw him stumped by a considerable distance for 40 (49 balls five 4s and a six).
It was a different game now with Snyman snapping up Khan caught and bowled and Asad accounting for Rishton wicket-keeper Chris Sanderson in identical fashion. Seventy for six and the target looking more of an uphill climb than ever.
Sagan Senepathi and Hassan tentatively added 12 to edge a little closer but with Accrington reinvigorated and performing like men possessed three wickets in four bals fatally fell on 82. Senpathi run out, Sartaj bowled by Snyman and Mo Hassan caught at cover by Snyman off Asad.
That left too much for Andy Hickey and Jack Hilton to do and despite clubbing a straight six, Hilton top edged one skyward to Olly Lowe to leave Rishton 20 runs short of the target. They took six bonus points for a fine contribution to a classic battle but it was at real get-out-of-jail card win for the leaders - still! - whose sheer will and unanimity of purpose had forged the victory.
Lowe, who took the winning catch, had much to celebrate last week with splendid A Level results earning him a job at a leading London banking giant which he takes up in a few weeks.
Sometimes life throws up new horizons and opportunities which mean even glamorous trips to Lanehead and Horsfield have to be foregone for a while but if Morgans need a scorer for their doubtless posh works cricket games Olly, I`m prepared to turn out. Second class travel and a Premier Inn, that`ll do.
After the game Kieran Grimshaw`s dad Dave said hello and said how he enjoyed my Observer columns. I can`t tell you how much that means to me after I rather lost my mojo and didn’t write anything for five years or so.
A lot of people have commented in recent weeks, it was nice to see old pals Dave Hickey and Graham Lightbown on Sunday too.
It’s been a difficult few weeks and support from friends has been a huge help. I didn`t really know Kieran`s dad before he said hello but although he may be a low-profile member of a well-known sporting family I really appreciated his kind words.
We spoke about this and that and when Kieran came along I tried to console him with those kind of journalisty cliches about pressure situations, looked a different game when he was in etc - probably exactly the kind of stuff he didn`t want to listen to at that point.
I hope he does great for the rest of the season including Saturdays subbing for Penwortham.
If I ever got a day off I could go and watch him there round the bend from where I live but I think my diary is full now till /mid-September.
I kind of had a blank day on Saturday but did a game for Brinscall Seconds at Eagley.
It’s my favourite of the Bolton grounds - Blackburn/Darwen side for starters and despite being tucked away there’s plenty going on.
The football team was at home on the adjacent pitch and there were frequent whoops and yelps from the clubhouse as early arrivers watched Wanderers beat PNE on the box.
The game was another low-scorer, Brinscall passing Eagley`s paltry 138 all out for the loss of four wickets.
One of the game`s/life`s nice guys I always like to see on the circuit, Brinscall`s Phil Lowe, made a splendid, composed 51 to take hold of the situation.
I watched Phil`s dad Paul play for Church at the Meadows in 1972 and he played for Church seconds in a couple of the first games I scored with Nick Westwell the following year. Paul sadly passed away young but I always love to catch up with Phil.
At one point he looked like missing out on 50 as teenager Will Kay smashed it around with youthful impunity. In the end both got there after adding 80.
I had the day free as Cherry Tree had no game. The BRFC-centric club took two full coaches to Wolves on Friday night which was a good effort! They`d all be as disapointed as I was that a late penalty robbed Rovers of the win.
Tomorrow Cherry Tree are at…. Eagley! Two Saturdays on the bounce there.
My pal Pete drove over there last Saturday. We are both still coming to terms with the loss of my mate and his brother Eddie. It’s hard to deal with and it was nice just to spend a few minutes together reflecting.
Eddie`s funeral and wake at at Church CC last Thursday were attended by far more people than is usual at these events. It was so hot that a lot of us spent time outside where Church have revealed impressive plans to revamp the viewing area.
AlI I could think was how much he`d have had to say about the changes, sauntering along in mid-afternoon with a wisecrack and grin. At least his send-off earned the club a bob or two which he’d heartily approve of. I`m still missing him.
This Sunday Accrington entertain Nelson in a vital promotion clash which needs no hyperbole from me to build up.
It’s been designated Former Players` day so we hope to see a lot of familiar old - and not-so-old - faces. Even a few who got me out or flayed me around Thorneyholme or the WECG in my Church seconds/thirds playing days.
Last week`s quiz - Gerard Metcalf (126) and Billy Wilkinson (86) with the 193 opening stand at East Lancs in 1979. Peter Sleep the wicketless East Lancs pro.
This week - 25 years ago in August 2001 a young Accrington debutant claimed as his first Lancs League wicket the scalp of a very famous cricketer by bowling him. Later in the game the roles were reversed, our man bowled by the Burnley player. Name them both?
