Accrington 101-1. Rishton 100
Tuesday May 23rd 1961

 

Accrington 1961 Champions ©Garth Dawson

Accrington ’s third successive victory of the Bank Holiday took Lindon Dewhurst’s men to the top of the table.

Following wins at Enfield and Rishton the previous day when Accrington tasted success for the first time since 1947, the home side took just 52 minutes to secure victory after professional Wes Hall had taken 8-35 to roll Rishton over for exactly 100. Hall’s haul took his tally to an amazing 22 wickets over the Bank Holiday period.

The only man to stand up to the great West Indian paceman was the veteran Rishton skipper Jackie Chew who made 48 before being held in the slips by Derek Rushton off the Accrington professional. Kevin Flatley also made 20 before being caught by Brian Rutter off Hall who then polished off the tail. The other wickets were taken by opening bowler Jim Eland and leg spinner Eddie Robinson.

Local schoolmaster Frank Rushton then slammed fifteen boundaries in making an unbeaten 80. His half century came in just 32 minutes and put him in the lead in the race for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph’s Fastest Fifty. After losing Jackie Hope for 7, Derek Rushton kept his brother company whilst the points were secured in spectacular fashion. Scorecard