RISHTON CRICKET CLUB – A BRIEF HISTORY

We have an illustrious history, and we'd love to share it with you.

Our history, and where we are today

Rishton Cricket Club were formed in 1865 and were founder members of The Lancashire League in its inaugural season way back in 1892. In that first season Rishton finished in 10th position in what was then a thirteen-team league.

Todmorden joined the league in 1897 and these fourteen teams were to make up the Lancashire League right up until 2017 when three more teams successfully applied to extend the league to a seventeen-team competition. Seven more teams extended the League Membership to twenty-four for the 2018 season. The 2019 season will mark the first season in which the league will comprise of two divisions with promotion and relegation in operation.

Since this first season, Rishton have been League Champions on eight occasions, the first time being in the 1898 season when they topped the table by 2 points from runners up, Nelson. The next time was in 1912 when they triumphed by a single point from Colne. Professional for the season was J.T.Newstead who scored 554 runs at 27.70 and took 94 wickets at 8.04. Further league titles arrived at Blackburn Road in 1944 and 1948.

The club had to wait only seven more years for their next successful campaign when in 1955 under the captaincy of JJ (Jimmy Smith) and with Indian SP Gupte as professional, they won the league again by a single point from Burnley. Not only did they win the League, but the Worsley Cup also resided at Blackburn Road after a 4-wicket victory over Todmorden at Centre Vale. This is the only time that the club have achieved "The Double" The most notable performance in the triumph was figures of 38.5 overs, 10 maidens 10 wickets for 101 runs by the Rishton paid man Gupte. A solid batting performance with a top score of an undefeated 41 by AJ Ramsbottom saw Rishton home. Rishton had previously won Worsley Cup in 1922 & 1932.

This League title was to be the last for 40 years. However, the next Worsley Cup triumph was to be nine years later when Rishton saw off the might of West Indian quick Charlie Griffith’s Burnley in the final at Turf Moor by a margin of seven wickets. The game is entrenched in Rishton folklore as it was an undefeated half century by Jack Chew who was joined by Kevin Flatley (44*) in a match winning stand of 98. Professional in 1964 was Yorkshire’s Johnny Wardle. Wardle was also professional in 1967 when Rishton again won the Cup competition this time it was achieved by a 5-wicket victory over Hyndburn rivals Accrington at Thorneyholme Road.

Six years later Rishton again came out on top in another all Hyndburn affair beating Enfield at Dill Hall Lane. JB Smith (brother of 1955 Worsley Cup Winning Captain Jimmy Smith) top scored with 54 after returning from a family holiday to play. He was supported by youngsters David Wells (28) and Barrie Hill (32) in a Rishton total of 155. This was to prove 27 too many for Enfield who were bowled out for 128 with Hill following up his batting effort with 4-36. This is the last time a Rishton team reached the final of the Leagues knockout competition: the closest they have come since was a heart-breaking last ball defeat in 2005 when the now elite international umpire Kumar Dharmasena saw his last ball disappear for 6 with Todmorden requiring a maximum off the final ball.

The League title was to be like a London bus for Rishton with none arriving for forty years then the club won back to back titles in 1995 and 1996. A further title arrived at Blackburn Road under the Captaincy of Andy Bartley in 2006. A more detailed report of these final three title winning years will be published at a later date