Continuing with our trip down memory lane and a look back at the 1996 title winning season today we look at June’s fixtures which includes a record breaking innings and cup heartbreak.
The month started with a league and cup double header against Baxenden.
The league game at the Applegarth saw professional Jonathon Harvey set his season alight with a stunning display of aggressive batting as he re-wrote the record books as he smashed his way to 184, an innings which included 18 sixes and eight fours. The innings included five sixes in one over and he just failed to make it a full house, having to settle for a single off the last ball.
However the 31 runs set a new record for the most runs in an over, and his second-wicket partnership of 234 with Nigel Pickles who scored 80, was also a new league record as Earby rattled up 301 for 4 in their allotted overs. His personal total put Harvey in third place in the league's all-time biggest innings list.
In reply a shell shocked Baxenden side were then dismissed for 56.
Earby 301-4 Baxenden 56
The following day fearing the worse Baxenden returned to the Applegarth for the 2nd round of the Vaux Ramsbottom Cup.
This time the match was a lot closer as they pushed Earby all the way in a close encounter.
Earby batted first again but this time they failed to rediscover Saturday's batting form, and only three sixes off the final three balls of the innings from Andrew Pickles saved the day as they reached 185 for 9.
In reply Baxenden were just seven runs short of victory, after Mark Rishton scored 73, when they ran out of time to finish on 179-9 which saw Earby go through to the Semi Finals and a home tie against Read.
Earby 185-9 Baxenden 179-9
The following week Earby returned to league action and travelled to Oswaldtwistle Immanuel and suffered defeat for the first time since the end of April.
Batting first Earby scored 196-6 off their allotted overs however this wasn’t enough as they found the going tough in the field as they went down to a four wicket defeat after Ossie knocked the runs off 6 wickets down.
Earby 196-6 Oswaldtwistle Immanuel 197-6
Earby returned to winning form the week after with a home game against Ribblesdale Wanderers.
The game turned into a real family affair with brothers Andrew, Nigel and Stephen Pickles in the thick of the action.
Andrew set the tone by picking up three wickets as Ribblesdale Wanderers were dimsised for 116. In reply Earby knocked the runs off without losing a wicket as Nigel 54 not out and Stephen 57 not out shared out the runs as Earby strolled to a 10 wicket victory.
Ribblesdale Wanderers 116 Earby 117-0
The following week Earby entertained league leaders Read in a league and cup double header.
The league game saw Earby beat the league leaders in a high scoring match.
Batting first Read scored 234-4 with professional Shahid Nawaz adding to his seasons impressive run haul with 79 and this was backed up by Pete Usher who scored 56 and Steve Rushton, who would later become 1st team captain at Earby score 52.
The total however was not enough as Earby professional Jonathon Harvey scored 138 not out to see his side home to a 5 wicket victory.
Read 234-4 Earby 235-5
Read claimed revenge the following day in the semi final of the Vaux Ramsbottom Cup as they recorded an 8 wicket victory in another high scoring game.
With Earby batting first this time Paul Tilbury 67 not out and Stephen Hipgrave 73 not out top scored as they set a target of 249.
In reply Read professional Shahid Nawaz continued his form from Saturday by scoring 111 and he was supported by Terry Little who scored 88 not out as they strolled to an 8 wicket victory.
The defeat for Earby was made worse as they missed out on a West Craven Derby final as Barnoldswick beat Great Harwood in the other Semi Final
Earby 249-5 Read 250-2
The final match of June saw Earby who were handily placed in fourth spot take on Clitheroe at the Applegarth.
Batting first Earby scored 178-6 from their allotted overs with professional Jonathon Harvey scoring 58. In reply Clitheroe fell just short as they were dismissed for 167 with Harvey also starring with the ball as he took 5-62.
Earby 178-6 Clitheroe 167
Next week we take a look back at July’s matches as Earby start the month sharing second place in the league.
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