ACCRINGTON supporters have waited nearly two years for a Lancashire League win at home, writes ANDY NEILD.
And, when it finally came against neighbours Rishton yesterday, professional Mark Bailey delivered the goods in emphatic style.
The New Zealander had one of those days cricketers simply dream of.
Even Midas would have been proud of the 28-year-old, who caressed 87 runs, claimed five wickets, took five catches and picked up two collections as the men from Thorneyholme sealed a 111-run victory.
And to do it against fellow countryman Paul Wiseman - who by contrast had a particularly miserable day - made it all the more sweet.
"It was one of those special days that you try for every day," said Bailey.
"Usually, it doesn't happen for you but today was my day.
"Everybody's been a bit down after the poor start we've had, although we've been a bit unlucky.
"But you've just got to go about your own business and hopefully someone else will help you out a little bit because you can't do anything everything yourself." Bailey certainly got that support from Mas Ahmed.
Before yesterday, Accrington's highest total of the season was 85 in a washed out game against Ramsbottom.
And after losing openers Mus Ahmed (18) and Steffan Heins (1) on the cheap, a struggle again looked on the cards.
But Bailey and Ahmed then shared a quite brilliant stand of 98 for the third wicket.
The Kiwi professional produced an array of delightful strokes, hitting 11 fours in his 147-ball 87, before being trapped lbw by Scott Greaves 13 short of a well deserved century.
But instead of losing the impetus, Ahmed (42) and Matt Wilson (31) kept up the momentum, ensuring the home side posted a formidable 198-5.
That always looked beyond Rishton once Jimmy Bibby (2) and Jonathan Dobson (3) were back in the tent with only 11 on the scoreboard.
Bailey, ambling in off an eight pace run up, bowled a nagging length which proved increasingly difficult to dispatch as the game wore on.
Frustration finally got the better of Neil Wells as Bailey snapped up a smart caught and bowled chance.
And after a real snorter from Kaz Shazad proved too hot for John Seedle, Bailey then held onto another brilliant return catch to get rid of Wiseman. Only Stuart Roberts (32) then showed any stomach for a fight as Rishton's middle order wilted meekly.
But he was ninth man out when Bailey - who else? - took yet another stunning catch in the covers.
Fittingly, it was left to the Kiwi to wrap things up with his fifth wicket as Rishton finally folded for 87 to become the first side since Bacup on August 3 1997 to lose at Thorneyholme Road.
"One win doesn't make a summer but it's a start," said Bailey.
"When I was bowling, I was basically just trying to run my fingers over the seam because it was holding up in the wet.
"That's probably why I got three caught and bowleds.
"We've been bowling well and fielding well all season though, it's just our batting that's been letting us down.
"But we had one good partnership and a couple of the other guys chipped in so maybe we can all take some confidence out of that for the rest of the season."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article