Bacup travelled to Great Harwood hoping to extend their three match unbeaten run. Having won the toss, Harwood batted first and put on 128 for the first wicket in quick time with veterans Alan Armer making 66 and Mas Ahmed 50. The Bacup professional Ernest Kemm took 3 for 66 from his 15 overs whilst Jack Bradford bowled a good spell of 1 for 29 from 9 overs to stem the tide. However a late surge of runs from Harwood professional Ashen Silva, who finished undefeated on 64, meant that they finished on 244 for 5.
In reply Bacup started rather too slowly and left themselves too much to do. Kemm took a while to get into stride, but just as he was threatening to mount a challenge , he was run out for 77. Skipper Aaron Fielding made a valiant effort with 57 not out and there were useful contributions from Collinge(18), Donovan(19) and Jack Bradford(22 not out). However Bacup fell 26 runs short finishing on 218 for 6, picking up 3 bonus points for their efforts.
Meanwhile, the second eleven at Lanehead picked up the maximum 12 points in an exciting 3 wicket victory. Great Harwood were bowled out for 175 in 36 overs. There were two wickets apiece for Shepherd, Aspinall and Benson with the tail being mopped up by Dom Boardman with figures of 4 for 13. The run chase was a team effort with good contributions from Knights (29), Syers (28), Thompson (23) and Shepherd 26 not out) taking Bacup to victory with 10 overs to spare.
Previous weekend
Bacup entertained Colne at Lanehead hoping to make it three on the bounce after a recent change in fortunes. However, for the first time since April, it was the rain which had the last say. Bacup won the toss and asked Colne to bat with the threat of heavy showers around. There were only two short stoppages in the Colne innings as they made a score of 165 for 5 from 42 overs. The professional James Price made 50 before he was removed by Ben Lord, who took 2 for 41 in his 11 overs. Bacup pro Kemm again bowled well with 2 for 42 off 13 overs. After a long delay for a heavy shower, the teams were about to take the field with Bacup requiring a reduced total of 125 off 21 overs, when the rain moved in again to end proceedings.
It was a no result also for the second team at Colne. The Bacup batsmen were in form yet again, racking up an impressive 261 for 6 off a reduced 43 overs. With all of the batsmen in double figures it was an excellent team effort. Skipper John Syers top scored with an unbeaten 50, Sam Harris continued his good form with 40 and Scott Thompson made 31 at the top of the order. A hailstorm then arrived unfortunately, meaning no further play was possible.
