Nutter: Barlick title win was for dad (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Nutter: Barlick title win was for dad

8:20am Friday 7th September 2012 in Sport

Emotional Matt Nutter celebrated Barnoldswick’s first Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League title for 20 years – and then dedicated the glory to his late dad, Ian Nutter.

Ian was wicketkeeper when Barlick last lifted the Senior League trophy back in 1992 but he died last January, aged 65.

Nutter junior admits those days were difficult – but he set himself the goal of leading his home town club to victory.

And when Barlick beat Salesbury on Saturday, those dreams came true and the skipper, who was only appointed this season, reflected: “It was a crazy time back.

“I personally haven’t had the greatest of seasons, performance wise, but I guess that is understandable with what’s happened.

“But it’s a nice thought that my dad was part of the last Barnoldswick team to become champions and I am captain now.”

Barlick have been in contention regularly over the past few seasons only to fall away at the final hurdle.

They were determined to go one step better this time around and Nutter says the disappointment of those campaigns helped spur them on this season.

“We have gone close a few times in the past,” he said.

“I can remember us needing to win the last game to win the title only to go out and lose.

“So this title is certainly sweet and I think that over the course of the season we have deserved it.”

Under Nutter, Barlick have lost just one league game this term and have been the stand-out team over the course of 2012 despite losing eight matches to the weather.

And Nutter added: “We have lost only one match – against Clitheroe – and while there have been a few doubts here and there along the way, I was always confident that we could go on and get the job done.”

Barnoldswick started the weekend knowing one win from the double header would be good enough to clinch the title.

And they did it in style, beating Salesbury by 49 runs on Saturday and following up on Sunday with a seven-run success over derby rivals Earby.

“There’s quite a few people who deserve a mention,” added Nutter.

“Liam Bedford has been brilliant for us since he joined, Luke Hodgson must have won four of five games for us with vital runs while Umar and Abdul Saddique have just been so consistent since they came in from Padiham.

“It’s just been an outstanding team effort and it’s nice to win the title without having to win our last game at Cherry Tree.”