Worsley Cup: Enfield 70-8, Bacup 160-9

BACUP veteran Terry Lord has rarely enjoyed more than the odd walk-on part as a bowler in a 15 year spell in the Lanehead first team.

But stand-in captain Peter Thompson gave him centre-stage in this Worsley Cup clash and his faith was rewarded by a virtuoso performance.

A quite magnificent 10-over spell of swing bowling put Bacup in the box seat before rain finally brought the curtain down on an intriguing battle.

But with Enfield still requiring another 91 runs with just two wickets left and only 15 overs in which to get them when play resumes tonight, the visitors appear to be heading for the next round.

Lord has been thrust into the limelight with the ball this year after his side lost the services of John Nuttall over the winter.

And the medium pacer showed no signs of stagefright, ripping the heart out of Enfield's top order with a four wicket haul. "It was the first time I've ever opened the bowling," said Lord.

"The pitch obviously helped me a lot though because the ball was swinging about all over the place.

"And our fielding was absolutely exceptional.

"The lads took a couple of great catches which makes all the difference because it creates extra pressure."

Bacup had made a tricky start to the match as none of their top order made much of an impression on a green looking track.

With only 10 on the scoreboard Enfield professional Otis Gibson had opener Mark Taylor trapped lbw for four.

And Gibson then took a smart catch in the covers as his opposite number Brad White got too much bat on an attempted square cut to leave the visitors struggling on 34-2.

Peter Killelea went lbw to David Bracewell and Sam Reidy had Matt O'Connor stumped as Bacup looked in danger of a collapse. But skipper Thompson and Andrew Pooler bravely masterminded a recovery putting on 70 very valuable runs for the fifth wicket. Wily veteran Bernard Reidy finally broke up the partnership when he had Pooler caught by Bracewell for 32.

Thompson got in a mix up with Lord allowing Andy Barker to run him out seven short of what would have been a deserved half century.

Enfield were under the cosh from the opening delivery as the first four overs were all maidens.

Lord then made the crucial breakthrough when he tempted Liam Jackson to nick one to Killelea in the slips.

And Russell Edmonds fell in a similar manner without troubling the scorers as Killelea clung onto another impressive catch.

Skipper Andy Barker became Lord's third victim when he was caught by White for 17. All hope then rested on the powerful shoulders of West Indian Otis Gibson and he soon signalled his intentions with a four off his second ball. But he only lasted three more deliveries before Lord struck again, this time stumper Chapman performing the heroics with a superb catch, to leave Enfield on 25-4.

Tofeeq Khan showed some fighting spirit with a few stylish strokes including a square cut to the boundary off Lord's last ball as he finished with an impressive return of 4-10.

Their chances all but disappeared when Chapman took another blinding catch after White found the edge of Khan's bat.

And Neil Holmes went in identical fashion in the same over as Enfield crumbled to 54-6.

White squared up Dean Barker in front of his stumps to claim his third victim leaving Enfield staring defeat in the face at 70-8 before the rain came down.

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