A POPULAR umpire is recovering after having his teeth smashed out in a Twenty20 cricket match.

Long-time Lancashire League servant Clifford Ashworth was overseeing the evening’s play between Ramsbottom and Edenfield when he took a full-force drive in the mouth.

He said the only thing he remembers is being on his knees ‘spitting blood and teeth’.

The wounded pensioner was rushed to hospital with a gash in the corner of his mouth and missing five teeth.

Speaking from his home in Holcombe Brook, Mr Ashworth admitted he had given the players and fans quite a shock during the match on Friday.

He said: “People might ask ‘why didn’t you get out of the way?’ Well my colleague Kev White-head told me it was the hardest shot he’d ever seen in his life.

“The Edenfield batsman, Paul Gallagher, is quite a mate of mine.

“He’s a lovely bloke and was more concerned than anyone about what happened – although he did say it was a superb shot and I’d stopped it from going for a four.

"I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Having been hit pretty violently, I just remember going down and spitting out blood and some of my front teeth.

“I suppose all the fuss was necessary and I’ve got three types of stitching and swelling in my mouth.

"I’m feeling pretty rough and had to pull out of Sunday's second-team match between Rawtenstall and Bacup.

“I’ve spoken to the dentist because that’s the major problem.

“I think I gave everyone a shock.

“I've had lots of phone calls from concerned people.

“It’s nice to get on so well with so many teams because in umpiring you can easily make enemies.”

Batsman Paul, 25, said: “When he collapsed after a few seconds and I saw the blood it was very distressing and I was emotional. I didn’t sleep on Friday night.

“It was a heavy blow, but Clifford wanted to carry on.

"My mind was on Clifford and I got out shortly afterwards and we lost the match.”

Clifford, a keen rambler and umpire of more than 30 years, said he was hoping to be back at the wicket next week.