LOCAL CRICKET: Enfield fall to the quality of Mercer

And it will be a repeat of last summer's showdown against Colne.

But, while Mercer (79) and Henderson, whose unbeaten 100 was his first century for the Blackburn club, dominated the statistics of a one-sided semi-final, there could have been no happier man at the Meadows on Saturday evening than East Lancs veteran Ian Haworth.

A matter of months ago, the 47-year-old bowler was simply contemplating retirement.

Now he is looking forward to yet another Worsley Cup final with the same enthusiasm that you will find among any of the younger guns who help to make up an East Lancs side where the emphasis is on "team".

Haworth, who once again weighed in with a decent contribution, has played in so many finals he had difficulty in reckoning up the total.

But that does not diminish the enjoyment for a player whose contribution has been extraordinary over the years.

We settled for about half a dozen since his first final success in 1983 but this latest one will prove just as satisfying as the first.

"You always want to get to the final, not least because it keeps your season going," said the veteran who picked up the crucial wicket of Russ Edmonds, three short of a half century, and David Bracewell, whose late belligerence at least gave Enfield supporters something to cheer. "I was intending to retire at the end of last season, for various reasons, but then players left, I played a game in the seconds and was then brought back into the first team.

"And I am getting the chance to bowl. So I am enjoying myself." It is typical of this powerful East Lancs team that they seem to make so much of their individual assets - Haworth being an obvious example.

At a stage when pipe and slippers beckon many, he is enjoying a new lease of life.

Credit for much of their success should go to captain Mercer, who handled his bowling changes and his fielding places in masterful fashion.

He is obviously helped by having an outstanding professional in Henderson.

But, to be frank, Enfield lost this game as much as East Lancs won it. They missed so many chances in the field they were their own worst enemies, allowing the opposition to post a total of 231-5 that always looked out of reach.

The game was won and lost in the first innings when professional Dave Saker bowled better than his figures suggested, Bracewell reeled off an outstanding 10 overs in a row and the only real weak link in the attack was Neil Holmes whose waywardness down the leg side was predictably punished.

From 47-2 from 20 overs, Mercer, after a scratchy start, and Henderson rode their luck to produce a third-wicket stand of 158.

It was wonderful to watch, with five sixes and four fours from the pro and seven fours and three sixes from the captain but Enfield must have been kicking themselves. They made a decent start to their reply and, at 75-1 from 25 overs, had an outside chance. But the damage had been done by their earlier mistakes.

When they needed to accelerate they dug themselves into a hole. Skipper Andy Barker was out for a painstaking 31 (94 balls) and Saker blundered his way to an awful run out when he was the team's only realistic chance.

With Edmonds, Barker and Saker gone it was only a matter of time and Nas Iqbal topped the bowling figures with an impressive 5-30 as the visitors were dismissed for 150. In truth, the game was over once Mercer and Henderson had cut loose.

East Lancs are the Pete Sampras of the Lancashire League. To beat them you have to take your chances. Enfield didn't and their season is over.

East Lancs will have home advantage against Colne in the Worsley Cup final. The draw, made yesterday, means the final will take place at Alexandra Meadows on Sunday, August 8.

Rawtenstall will be at home to Church in the Marsden Sports Junior Cup final on Saturday, July 31.

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