GRAHAM Lloyd said he knew dad David would end up being the star of the show on Sunday.
Despite Lloyd junior top scoring with 42 in their vital victory at Lowerhouse to clinch the championship on the final day, it was Lloyd senior who got the winning runs and grabbed the headlines.
"It was set up for him really. I was worried about his running between the wicket though - I knew we wouldn’t get quick singles!" said Graham.
"But he has been keeping fit and, with all his experience ,I knew he could do it for us although it was nerve-racking.
"It was hard as the Haslingden score had come through and we knew if we won, we had won the league and, to be honest, it was touch and go that we would win at Lowerhouse.
"There were a couple of important fours and Paul Carroll’s six was the key and we fought and battled and came out on top."
Just two weeks ago, Haslingden were 24 points clear but three defeats in their last three matches meant Graham Knowles’ side threw it away.
"Two weeks ago no one would have given us a chance but it’s hard to be at the top for so long because you are always looking behind you and the nerves can get to you, whoever you are," said Lloyd junior.
"We have had to put a good run together and I think we have won six or seven on the bounce. We have rode our luck at times but we have come out on top. It’s a great team performance and it’s great for the club and I am delighted.
"It is a pleasure to play for Accrington and I look forward to Saturdays and Sundays coming round. We all get on well together, we socialise together and we might not be the best team but we have got good players and we are hard to beat.
"Stuart Crabtree is one of the best young players in the league, Graeme Sneddon is a good young player and we have a balanced bowling team and good fielding and it makes us hard to beat.
"At the start of the season, I thought we would be in the top three and, if we had a bit of luck, we could win it. We have had that bit of luck."
