Werneth 194-5, Rishton 193-7

CHAMPIONS of the Lancashire League for the past two years, Rishton's current season lurched to the brink of "meaningless" in the gathering gloom of a hilltop just a couple of six hits from downtown Oldham last night.

Thrashed by one of the teams in contention for their title on Sunday, Rishton went out of the inter-league knockout at the hands of Central Lancashire League championship challengers Werneth.

And their only hope of maintaining genuine interest in contesting honours for the remainder of this summer now rests on their Worsley Cup quarter-final tie with Todmorden on Saturday.

It has been an alarming fall for the team which has dominated the league in back-to-back seasons and, as seems inevitable on these occasions, it was compounded by controversy.

A fascinating and fluctuating game finally seemed to have turned Rishton's way when, with Werneth having hit a rocky patch as they chased a total of 193 for seven, the crucial moment went the home team's way.

David Lees, a batsman whose style was definitely more agricultural than aesthetic, struggled to make his ground as a jet-propelled throw from Paul Whalley thudded into the keeper's gloves. The bails came off and the unanimous view of the Rishton players, plus several officials gathered square on to the wicket was: "If the TV umpire had looked at it he wouldn't have been in the same frame."

But what seemed a straightforward run out was given not out and Lees went on to club - no other word for it - the crucial late runs in a match-winning partnership with outstanding opener Paul Entwistle, who carried his bat for a terrific unbeaten 89 after being dropped off a very difficult chance early in his innings.

The decision left a sour taste but it should not be allowed to mar the memory of a titanic struggle which kept a biggish crowd engrossed, despite the bitter cold.

And Rishton need to look a little deeper for the reason they lost.

A side which has struggled desperately for runs got off to a marvellous start.

Openers John Wharton (62) and Craig Smith (73) put on 115 with more than 20 overs remaining.

It was a platform for a winning score but the general consensus during the interval, after too many of the men who followed had failed, was that it was not quite enough on a fast-scoring ground and excellent wicket.

So it proved. A major consolation for Rishton was to see two of their major players recapture significant form.

Wharton hit six boundaries as he worked the ball around the field. Smith was ebullient as he hit 10 fours and one mighty straight six onto the pavilion roof.

But the main promise of the innings remained unfulfilled as the run rate slowed and Rishton failed to prosper against an attack led by the lively pace of professional Robert Kennedy and the experienced slow bowler John Punchard.

In truth, their effort petered out.

A brilliant piece of fielding by Wharton gave Rishton early hope when Werneth replied and, with the home team taking charge, Robbie Walsh, who bowled excellently for 2-15 from his nine overs, put Rishton right back in it.

For five overs, Smith too performed well but the run out decision rocked Rishton and Lees profited at the end.

It's a fine line between success and failure but Entwistle deserved to be on the winning team as he paced his effort brilliantly.

Unconcerned at being marooned in the 40s and 50s, he waited for the time when the front-line bowlers had to be withdrawn then watched as his partner bludgeoned the winning runs with three overs to spare.

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