EVERYONE was talking about Corrie in the Ramsbottom bar, writes TONY GARNER.

No not Mike Baldwin's latest scheme or Jack Duckworth's problems but Lowerhouse's South African gem.

Corrie Jordaan wasn't a household name outside his own country but when Lowerhouse made an 11th hour bid for his services after red tape had scuppered their original plans they struck gold.

The left arm spinner has topped the bowling averages in South Africa for the past two years and at 31 has a wealth of first class experience. But the brightest news for Lowerhouse supporters is that the burly Jordaan is giving his all for the cause.

"I want to win the league," he said after guiding his side to a comfortable win at Ramsbottom.

"I suppose this result is a bit of a shock but we have a good side.

"I want to come back here for three years and help develop the club right through. I am even going to be helping in the fund-raising because I am involved in that back home."

Helping Lowerhouse to get rid of the label of the side that has never clinched any silverware is a tall order but the Corrie revolution has already started.

Lowerhouse are the first Lancs League side I have ever seen warming down on the field after their win. It was an intriguing sight - given a comic touch as the players' children joined their dads in the jogging and stretching - but Corrie believes it is important.

"It makes sure the players don't get too stiff. It is very important and it is something we do all the time at home so why not here," he said.

For Lowerhouse skipper Matt Hope, who has already built up a fine understanding with the big South African, it is an indication of an enthusiasm and desire which has fired his team-mates.

"The warm down is new to us, but it has helped bring the lads closer together and obviously in practical terms it will benefit us during the season."

And while Jordaan's 6-51 was crucial - taking his tally to 23 wickets from four games - his captain made a couple of inspirational contributions in his own right.

His first came with the bat when his side were struggling in the face of some mean bowling from Ramsbottom pair Chris Harris and Garfield Moreton.

Coming in at 91-5, Hope smashed 23 off one Moreton over to transform an innings that was threatening to go from pedestrian to full stop.

He perished for 29 with Moreton claiming his wicket, but had given Lowerhouse the upper hand.

Classy Chris Bleazard, who held the entire innings together before his last over dismissal for 72, and Frank Entwistle with a few lusty blows in his 23 steered Lowerhouse to 182-9.

Hope's next contribution was perhaps even more significant.

For a big man he moved with great agility to take a brilliant reflex catch off brother Jez's bowling which removed Kiwi professional Harris for a duck.

Harris is a key figure for Ramsbottom and his early dismissal visibly boosted the Acre Bottom visitors.

Ramsbottom skipper Ian Bell and Brian Taylor looked capable of repairing the damage but then Jordaan took control.

He had Taylor caught behind for 22 then had Bell controversially trapped leg before for 45.

That left the home side at 80-4 and from there it quickly became a case of whether Jordaan could secure the bonus point.

He failed narrowly on that count. But believe me, Ramsbottom won't be the only Lancashire League ground where people are talking about Corrie this summer!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.