Pelser signs for Rawtenstall by Nigel Stockley

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Player:

BJ Pelser

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DateLine: 17th December 2012

 

Rawtenstall have given their supporters an early Christmas present by announcing the signing of South African Brett Pelser.

 

The 27 year-old all rounder had re-signed for Northern Premier League side Leyland but due to the club's financial situation both parties agreed to terminate the contract to return in 2013.

 

Pelser, who averages over 50 in First-class cricket, had three successful seasons at Leyland hitting 2925 runs at 39 with three centuries and seventeen half centuries.

 

His medium paced bowling also picked up 160 wickets at 15.2.

 

During his spell at the club he helped Leyland to the title in 2010 and he broke the club's batting record by hitting 1008 runs in 2011.

 

He shared in a club record 2nd wicket stand of 233 with Luis Reece against St Annes in 2012.

 

During his spell at Leyland, Pelser also stood in for his new club Rawtenstall, Bacup and Colne for whom he took 9-32 against Nelson.

 

Rawtenstall skipper Vinny Hanson said: "We are more than delighted to have secured Brett for the 2013 season. We first came across him around 2 years ago when he sub pro'd for us and have kept a close link since and followed his work at Leyland with admiration. 

 

"It all came around pretty quickly in the end, Brett contacted us about the situation change and we moved quickly. Every cloud has a silver lining as we had agreed terms with an Australian all-rounder who was then called up to the recent test match against South Africa and that more or less killed our deal with the ACB wanting to have a say in things. 

 

"Brett is the perfect match for what our club needs right now after a disappointing season last year, some of his best work at Leyland was done away from match day and he leaves them in a strong position. We hope he can make a big impact throughout the club not just at senior level."