Accrington 160-6dec, Haslingden 138-9
Saturday August 5th 1961

 

Accrington 1961 Champions ©Garth Dawson

Accrington went into this match as league leaders with just six matches to go. Jackie Hope top scored with a lively innings of 53 which included six fours. His fellow opener Frank Rushton and Derek Mark made 6 apiece and professional Wes Hall had his middle stump knocked back by his opposite number Rusi Surti, a fact gloriously illustrated by a photograph in the Sports Pink. Derek Rushton (37) and Martin Welbourne (33) gave the middle order some backbone, enabling skipper Lindon Dewhurst to declare on 160-6.

After Hall had ripped out the Haslingden openers Bill Grimshaw (2) and skipper John Winter (3), Jim Eland got in on the act by removing Jack Hayton (1) and Rupert Jackman (0). Hall accounted for Gordon Pilkington (0) and Eland cleaned up Cliff Moore for 12 but neither man could make any impression on Surti. The Indian stood firm to make 88 to deny Accrington the win that they craved. Surti got good support from the lower order and even when he was run out tailenders George McKenzie and Billy Aldred survived after Eddie Robinson dismissed Maden and Euland Sealy. Scorecard