Bacup returned to winning ways at Lanehead on Sunday in the local derby match against Rawtenstall.
Bacup won the toss and decided to make first use of the wicket. Gansler departed early but then opening batsman Newbitt and professional Serasinghe put on 114 for the second wicket. Newbitt made 63 and Serasinghe 79. Serasinghe departed to Rawtenstall professional van Wyngaardt when looking well set. In taking 4 for 60 the Rawtenstall pro caused a mid order collapse. However, an eighth wicket partnership of 48 between Bradford (30 not out) and Ben Lord (27) pushed Bacup's score up to an impressive 258 for 8 in their 50 overs.
In reply Rawtenstall had made 98 for 3 from 26 overs when rain brought a premature end to proceedings. On the DLS system Rawtenstall were 25 runs short of the target and therefore picked up 3 batting bonus points whilst Bacup picked up 10 points for the win.
With 417 runs at an average of just under 70 Serasinghe is currently the top run scorer in the division. He has also picked up 25 wickets at only 10.68 apiece. Meanwhile, Bacup's current leading amateur batsman is Newbitt with 229 runs at 32.71 whilst on the bowling front Ben Lord has 17 wickets at 19.64.
Down at The Worswick Memorial Ground the second eleven had Rawtenstall in trouble at 92 for 7 before an excellent eighth wicket partnership of 72 between F. Aziz (52) and R. Ashram (39 not out) took the home side to 216 all out. Shepherd and Holt took three wickets apiece but the stand out bowler was George Sumner who took a miserly 1 for 10 in his seven overs.
Bacup's response never really got off the ground as they collapsed to 61 for 6. Veteran Knights with 52 not out and some hearty blows from Shepherd (31) gave the Bacup score some respectability as they were bowled out for 151. Rawtenstall picked up the maximum 12 points and Bacup 2 bowling points.
Bacup's T20 match at Milnrow on Friday night was called off without a ball being bowled, the team's taking one point each for a no result. The third eleven game at home to Clitheroe also fell victim to the weather and will hopefully be replayed at some point.
