Accrington 134-9, Ramsbottom 130
Saturday April 24th 1993

Accrington opened the 1993 season with a nail-biting 1 wicket win over defending champions Ramsbottom at Thorneyholme Road. The match along with the rest of the programme was re-arranged following an opening day washout the previous Sunday. New professional Neil Johnson top scored with 46 after taking 3-52 from an unbroken 23 over spell in Ramsbottom's 130 all out. Johnson claimed the wickets of openers Ian Bell who was caught behind by Billy Rawstron off the first ball of the season, and Gary Dyson who was caught by Martin Whittle for 5. Steve Juliff then had Brian Taylor caught by Johnson for 3. Sub professional David Capel was next to go caught by Neil Barnes off Johnson for 24 at 51. Steve Dearden was taken behind by Rawstron off left armer Vernon Woods for a run a ball 14 without addition. Woods also trapped Steve Hall (3) in front at 59 and two runs later he had Nick Riley caught behind by Rawstron. Mark Demaine picked up Michael Haslam (4) to break a 43 run 8th wicket stand with skipper Jack Simpson who was run out for 43 at 115. Demaine then polished off the innings at 130 by having last man Mick Mills (4) held by Johnson leaving Steve Ratcliffe unbeaten on 20. Capel quickly removed Barnes (0) and Bob Collins (4) but skipper Nick Marsh was joined by his professional in a 74 run stand for the 4th wicket. Capel broke the stand by trapping Marsh in front for 33 and Johnson fell to Haslam for 46 at 97. Capel removed Rawstron (7) and Demaine (0) with Haslam cleaning up Whittle (6) to have Accrington 118-7. Ten runs later Capel sent back Paul Barratt (13) and Damian Clarke (0) at 128 but last man Woods (4 not out) held his nerve to hit the winning boundary off Haslam with Juliff unbeaten at the other end on 7. Scorecard

If you have any memories of 1993 please email Nigel Stockley