Haslingden 117-1, East Lancs 122-9

BRAD McNamara is used to talking about match-winning bowling performances by the Haslingden professional in modest but glowing terms.

But, having been forced to miss the Lancashire League summit clash with East Lancs at Bent Gate with a shoulder injury that has been causing increasing discomfort over recent weeks, he was more than happy to heap praise on his 11th hour replacement.

Hamish Anthony, a West Indian quickie with nip and bounce, returned four wickets and set up a crucial victory...when he eventually arrived!

"Hamish got lost on the way here," admitted McNamara. "But his performance more than made up for it. He bowled really well and helped to put us in the driving seat."

Anthony, the current paid hand at Littleborough, apparently makes a habit of turning up late - this contest was actually underway when he got there. East Lancs were left wishing he hadn't bothered to show at all.

He was a might too sharp for the Blackburnians and, as a result, Haslingden were able not only to triumph and restore themselves ahead of their defeated opponents on top of the table, but also to take revenge for "a bit of a pasting" (McNamara's description) they received from the men from Alexandra Meadows earlier in the season.

They lost by nine wickets that day and yesterday secured an equally emphatic win. McNamara, a straight-talking Aussie, still rates East Lancs as his side's main title challengers and he is optimistic too that he won't miss many - if any - more matches.

This week he will travel to have a specialist view on his shoulder from former England physio Dave Roberts at Middleton.

"I hate missing games, particularly the big ones and I don't think there is anything too serious.

"I felt the shoulder on Saturday and took the decision to sit it out against East Lancs so as to avoid the prospect of further aggravation.

"It's been niggling away for a week or two and having just got over a long-standing groin problem I am having my share of injuries." That said, McNamara was still able to play a part in yesterday's success: "We were poor the previous day and we sat down to chat things through. It's all about attitude and we must learn to treat every game with equal importance. It is no good just raising yourselves for the top matches - the same reward is available every time you go out."

The pep talk certainly had the desired effect. Haslingden coasted to victory in this rain-affected contest - needing just two dozen of their 37 overs to hit the required runs, losing just the wicket of Jack Simpson in the process.

It was a personal triumph on the batting front for 26-year-old left hander Charlie Lord who clocked up his biggest score for the club, carrying his bat for 63.

Lord really set about visiting professional Billy Stelling. In what was to be the final over, Lord smashed Stelling for 18. Not East Lancs' day.

And yet it could have been so different.

Mark Lomas won the toss and elected to bat, rather surprising considering the weather, and East Lancs' openers put on 44 for the first wicket. They were still reasonably comfortable when the rain came at 67-2.

But, on resumption, they had only 13 overs to play with and it became a run chase. Anthony took advantage by bowling straight and tight while spinner Mick Tracey toiled away for his best-ever return against East Lancs at home, 4-48 from 18 overs. Haslingden raced to victory in double quick time with East Lancs' attack unable to put the brakes on. The first wicket didn't go down until 80 had clicked up on the scoreboard and Lord made it a spectacular finish.

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