STAND made the trip to Crompton for the final time last Saturday in the Central Lancashire League and came away empty handed after another batting collapse.

Having won the toss and electing to bat first, Crompton got off to a reasonable start reaching by 81-3 after 20 overs.

By this time, Stand had claimed the prized wicket of Saeed Anwar (15), as he became Holt's first wicket of the afternoon and Dave Taylor's first of four victims behind the stumps.

The handy Simon Wright was also back in the shed for 11 as he became Ritchie's only dismissal of the day.

Chris Moorhead then joined the attack and claimed two wickets as opener Glen Rigby was caught by Beirne for 25 and the infamous Mel Whittle was caught at slip by Seedle for only 4.

Crompton were now starting to stumble at 89-5 and as professional John Seedle joined the attack, what followed was reminisant of a Stand lower order collapse as Crompton lost their remaining five wickets for only 21 runs.

Seedle returned his best bowling figures of the season, taking 5 for 32, as Crompton were dismissed for 110.

Stand's confidence was high as the whole team had produced probably the best fielding performance of the season with just 111 required for victory.

In reply, the Stand innings got off to a slow start on a wicket that was still proving difficult to bat on.

As a consequence, Stand followed Crompton's lead losing wickets at regular intervals, thanks to some excellent bowling by the wily Whittle and professional Anwar.

Fergusson (15), Holt (10) and Ali Khan (28) were the only players to each double figures.

The reply collapsed from 55-3 to 87 all out in the space of 13 overs.

Anwar and Simon Wright mopped up proceedings as Ritchie was the last man to fall, leaving Chadwick unbeaten on 6.

Anwar finished his last match of the season before returning to Pakistan with 5-29 and Wright claimed 3-14.

On Sunday, Stand travel to Royton in a bottom of the table clash.