Fun in The Sun
Ramsbottom put a big dent into Haslingden's hopes of securing the Lancashire League title at Acre Bottom
yesterday. Jack Walmsley & Michael Haslam with superb spells of bowling and some indifferent batting from
the visitors saw the "champions elect" crash from 33-0 to 95 all out, Jack with 3-11 fro 5 overs & Michael 4-33
from 16. Brenton Parchment with an unbeaten 44 secured the Rammy victory and send the title race down to
the last game of the season!  

First XI Lose, Seconds Win, Then Washout!

Once again David Ormerod proved the thorn in Rammy's side, taking 5 wkts has Ramsbottom were dismissed for 106. Robert Read top scoring with 27 not out. Accrington reached their target for the loss of 5 wkts with Ross Brown 3-49........(scorecard)

Sunday's local derbies with Haslingden both fell victim to the weather. The first XI were in a very strong position in their game, Haslingden bowled out for 173 & Rammy 58-2 with Brenton still at the crease when rain ended play. The first XI fixture will be replayed on Saturday 12th September.

YELLOW..YELLOW..YELLOW!!!!
RAMMY WIN WORSLEY CUP

After a narrow defeat the previous day at home to Burnley, Rammy's players once again pulled out all the stops in a thrilling and nail biting Worsley Cup tie, this time the final!! On winning the toss and electing to bat it looked like a mistake had been made. It was soon 44-4 with Alex Bell 3, Keith Webb 16, pro Brenton Parchment 8 & Robert Read a duck back in the pavilion. The turnaround then began, man of the match David Bell with 71 & Andy Holt 43 put on 110 for the 5th wicket. So a target for Todmorden was set at 187-7. The superb Michael Haslam kept the paper mill end virtually a run free zone with figures of 0-14 from his 10 overs. As the Tod reply began to take some momentum then Ramsbottom's bowlers and fielders stepped up to the mark and the wickets started to fall at regular intervals. With dark clouds enveloping Acre Bottom and the very real threat of a thunder storm. The pendulum started to swing towards Todmorden, but almost immediately it was back in Rammy's favour after a couple of run outs including Toby McLean's flicking a return onto the backing up Mo Bux's stumps.
The last over arrived a it was still unclear who would win, Tod needed 6 runs, Rammy 1 wicket. It was the home  side who kept their nerve and wild celebrations by the "Yellow Army" began when the last Tod man was run out with Tod still 5 short........(scorecard)       

Back To Winning Ways

A double winning weekend against Rawtenstall. The first team returned with 12pts from up the valley, while the
second XI defeated their Rawtenstall counterparts at Acre Bottom. The First XI, stuck into bat got off to a solid
start despite losing skipper Keith Webb early for 10. Alex Bell with 32 & pro Brenton Parchment 63 pulled the
innings around. David Bell also got in on the act with a good 54, and just in time has we had our usual mini
collapse, 175-3 to 175-6, closing the innings on 202-9. Rawtenstall got off to a solid start, but once the first
wicket fell at 65 it became a steady procession. Brenton Parchment 5-33 & Jack Walmsley 2-17 from 7 overs
the pick of the bowlers as Rawtenstall were dismissed for 128...........(scorecard) 

Losses To East Lancs & Weather

 Ramsbottom returned once again defeated. The trip to East Lancs was again hit by injury, Ross Brown still
recovering from an ankle injury, Toby McLean still unwell & Richard Hevingham also injured made for more
changes. Dale Gabriel came in for his debut and did well. The battle of the Jamaicans was firmly won by Brendon Nash 82 runs to Brenton Parchments 5, and 2-44 to 1-83. Michael Haslam was his usual economical self only conceding 12 runs from 9 overs. Jack Walmsley with 2 wkts and Dale Gabriel & Parchment 1 each & 2 run outs has
East Lancs posted 204-6 from there 50 overs. The Ramsbottom reply got off to a good start with Keith Webb
17 & Alex Bell 31, But then there was a mini collapse losing 4 wkts for 12 runs. Robert Read then shored up
one end with a superb 60 not out & Martin Cropper with 23 nudged the innings back in the right direction, but
unfortunately the last wkt fell with Ramsbottom 24 runs short of there target..... (scorecard)

Another League Loss

Our inability to arrest our poor league form looks like we will finish the season in the lowest league position this century. Another home defeat on Sunday to another struggling side Rishton means we have now lost more games than we have won. Three late changes didn't help, especially in the bowling department with the loss of Ross Brown & Toby McLean. In a game reduced to 37 overs Rammy stuck Rishton into bat and restricted them to 158-5. Jack Walmsley & Brenton Parchment 2 wickets & Michael Haslam the other. But once again the batting didn't quite live up to the billing. Alex Bell 61 & Mark Dentith 28 pushed Rammy in the right direction but unfortunately we came up just short at 147-7.....(scorecard)
 

Semi-final Success, Tod in Final 

On a day where the rain did it upmost to spoil the show, Ramsbottom managed to reach there 4th Worsley Cup final this decade. With Ramsbottom asked to bat yet another opening combination strode to the crease, this time Skipper Keith Webb & Alex Bell. Alex was soon making the return journey, run out for 3. This brought pro Brenton Parchment to the wicket to share a 67 run partnership with the captain. Webb out for 27 with the score on 86 had given Rammy a platform to build on. David Bell with 37 along with the pro (76) edged Rammy forward. Andy Holt with 20 and Richard Hevingham 13 not out helped Rammy to 213-9 at the close. With the weather
looking to play a major part in proceedings. it was vital Rammy got stuck into the Church batsman early. And that's just what they did, Church 31-3 and struggling. The Ramsbottom bowlers continued to apply the pressure, with the help of Richard Hevingham behind the sticks, 4 victims from four different bowlers. Toby McLean 3-35 & Brenton Parchment 4-18 the pick of the bowlers. And as the gloom set in around Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom Secured that Worsley Cup final spot when Toby McLean caught Sam Tucker for a duck and church were all out for 158....................(scorecard) 
The other semi was completed on Monday night when Todmorden beat Haslingden at Bentgate. We now face
Todmorden in the final at ACRE BOTTOM on Sunday 9th August.

How To Win, The Hard Way

This seems to be a annual event at Rishton, certainly in the last few seasons we've tried to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, this season was no different. Having done the hard work in dismissing the home side for 117 with good all round bowling, Michael Haslam 2-19, Jack Walmsley 1-20, Ross Brown 3-25 & Brenton Parchment 3-48. Then it was the turn of the batsmen, and at 84-3 with Brenton Parchment 53, it all started to go pear shape. The slide was halted by Jack Walmsley with a knock of 15 and Rammy edged home 120-8.......(scorecard) 

One Each In Bacup Double Header
Ramsbottom just came out on top in the two local derbies. Ramsbottom 18 pts Bacup 12 pts. The first leg away at Bacup go the home sides way. Ramsbottom managed to restrict Bacup to 131 all out with Michael Haslam 5-27 & Pro Brenton Parchment 4-11. This target should have been well within the reach of our batsmen, but some silly shot selection hindered our chances. Once again it was left to the tail to do the hard yards. Mark Dentith with 33, Ross Brown 11 & Jack Walmsley 21 steered us in the right direction, but unfortunately the tail didn't quite wag enough and we were all out for 117.......(scorecard)

Down at Acre Bottom on Sunday it was a very different story. A good all round performance from the Ramsbottom team. Having elected to bat we finally managed a solid start. Martin Cropper & Chris Wood opened the innings, Chris was out with the total on 33. Martin Cropper stayed around for a good 39. Then Rob Read took up the challenge, and succeeded in hitting his maiden first XI half century, 50 not out and Rammy 177-7. Martin Cropper  standing in as wicket keeper for the suspended Richard Hevingham made sure of his man of the match status by claiming 5 victims has Bacup were dismissed for 117. Ross Brown 3-22 & Brenton Parchment 4-46...(scorecard)
 

20/20 Win
Ramsbottom got off the mark in the 20/20 with a home win over Edenfield. In a game reduced to 15 overs a side, Edenfield batting first posted 107. The Ramsbottom reply was on course with until a blip when Brenton Parchment was run out on 47. But with 3 overs remaining and requiring just 22 a handful of wkts and just 2 runs from the over left Ramsbottom needing 20 from the last two. Enter Mark Dentith who smashed a 6 into the "Ascot" crowd in front of the bar, followed by a four to ease the nerves. The game was won in the last over of the 15.

League Woes Continue After Cup Success

Ramsbottom's fall down the league table continued on Sunday with a 5th straight defeat. All the more puzzling after a compressive beating of East Lancs in the Worsley Cup on Saturday to reach the semi-finals were we've been drawn at home to Church. So after sitting on top of the table after 4 games we now languish in the bottom half of the table. Todmorden batting first did what we have yet to do, the amateur batsmen scored runs. With Tods pro out for a duck, Todmorden still reached 223-5. Brenton Parchment & Ross Brown with 2 wickets each. The Rammy reply was, predictable. Most batsmen got in, Alex Bell 16, Pro 38, David Bell 23, Rob Read 35, Ross Brown 16, Richard Hevingham 11 & Jack Walmsley 13 but no one took the innings by the scruff of the neck and pushed on. Rammy all out for 162....(scorecard)

Saturday was oh so different, having won the toss we electing to bat. David Bell was the star of the innings with 68 and Nick Murphy with 22 not out also pushed the scoreboard along. Ramsbottom setting a target for East Lancs of 196-7. Ramsbottom's bowlers got stuck in and regular wickets meant that the East Lancs reply never got going. Toby McLean, Jack Walmsley & Ross Brown with 2 wickets each has East Last were sent packing for just 91. We will now
 entertain Church at Acre Bottom on Sunday 5th July in the semi-final......(scorecard)

Yet Another Defeat

With Saturday's game in the Worsley Cup washed out, it was left to Sunday for some cricket. And for Rammy to get their season back on track. Alas we still wait. Sent into bat Nelson comfortably reached 255-7, Brenton Parchment with 5-100. The Rammy reply was never going to be enough, Brenton Parchment top scoring with 51. Rob Read with 29, Andy Holt 21 & a notable knock of 30 from Jack Walmsley pushed Rammy up to 196, falling 59 runs short. But once again established batsmen failed to impress.

Sun 31st May - Haslingden 253-5 v Ramsbottom 221   Lancashire League
Nightmare III
We don't like losing, we don't like losing to Haslingden even more. So 3 times in one weekend must have had Steve "I don't like Rammy" Dearden dancing in the streets around Bentgate on Sunday. First it was 20/20 cricket on Friday night and a 8 wkt win for our rivals. Sunday then brought the real stuff, and not once but twice we came up short. The first XI at Haslingden failed in there attempt to overhaul the hosts 253-5. Once again senior batsmen failed to get runs. Alex Bell, Andy Holt, Rob Read & Keith Webb could only muster 11 between them, While David Bell 33 & pro Brenton Parchment 59 with a 73 run partnership steadied the innings it was youngsters Jack
Walmsley 39 & Ross Brown 35 who top scored an earned Rammy 2 bonus points from the 32 run defeat. (scorecard)

Fri 29th May - Ramsbottom v Haslingden 20/20
Sun 24th May - Ramsbottom v Nelson Worsley Cup 1st Round
Sat 23rd May - Ramsbottom v Accrington
Sun 17th May - Bacup v Ramsbottom

Sun 10th May - Ramsbottom v Lowerhouse      Lancashire League
"House" Take Home The Points

Don't you just love the English weather! At the very moment you are about to start a 50 over game of cricket along comes the drizzle to reduce it to 30 overs and the toss you won some 2 ½ hours earlier, you might not have made the same decision. But having said that, take nothing away from Lowerhouse has they had one of those days where they caught everything that came to them or even near them with some super catches being taken. The Ramsbottom innings coming to an end on the very last ball off the 30th over, 99 all out. Andy Holt top scoring with 24. Lowerhouse reached their winning target for the loss of just one wicket to inflict a first
defeat of the season on Rammy who manage to hold on to top spot............(scorecard) 

Sat 9th May - Colne 54 v Ramsbottom 135-7         Lancashire League
Colne get Wam'd
Jack Walmsley produced a scintillating spell of bowling to earn Rammy 12 more precious points.
In a match reduced to 40 overs a side Ramsbottom posted a target of 135-7. Colne never got anywhere near has with figures of 5 wkts for just 4 runs from 7 overs sealed a easy win with Colne all out for 54......(scorecard)

Sun 3rd May - Ramsbottom 232-5 v East Lancs 147   Lancashire League
Rammy on Top

Jon Fielding returned to Acre Bottom has sub pro for East Lancs. He returned to Walshaw
pointless. The opening partnership of Martin Cropper & Simon Read completed a miserable
weekend for the pair with early returns to the dressing room. David Bell soon followed and
this brought skipper & pro together to share a 152 run 5th wicket partnership. Pro Brenton
Parchment smashing an unbeaten 131 and Keith Webb reached 57 before being bowled. The
Ramsbottom innings closing on 232-5. East Lancs reply  was paced but they lost wickets at
crucial times and once Ross Brown got his bearings the East Lancs threat was over. Rammy
taking the 9 wickets required (A. Caunce injured and unable to bat) and making it 3 wins on
the bounce and securing top spot..........(scorecard)  

Sat 2nd May - Burnley 136 v Ramsbottom 141          Lancashire League
Joy at Turf Moor

After a slow start, 7-2 with Martin Cropper & Simon Read both back in the pavilion. Pro
Brenton Parchment dug in for a solid 35, Andy Holt also steadied the innings with a super
innings of 43 before being run out. Ramsbottom closed on 141 all out. The Burnley reply
was steady and measured. But all of the Ramsbottom bowlers bowled well, and once Brenton
had switched ends the Burnley reply stalled. Brenton taking 4-61 from 18.1 overs. Michael
Haslam & Ross Brown had 2 wickets each, and when the Burnley batsmen went for a quick
second run when only requiring 6 to win, an accurate throw ran the Burnley man out and Rammy
secured a second win on the road.......(scorecard) 

Sun 26th April - Church 115 v Ramsbottom 119-7    Lancashire League
Sunshine and Twelve Points

The good start everyone was hoping for arrived amidst nice sunshine at Church's West End Ground. Keith Webb lost his first toss of the season and Church elected to bat. Ramsbottom's bowlers got off to a great start having Church 4-2 early on. Michael Haslam bowled well with 2-15 from 8 overs. Pro Brenton Parchment took 2 wickets in his spell, and the tail was mopped up by Simon Read 3-27 & Ross Brown 2-16 with Church all out for 115. The Ramsbottom reply was somewhat stop start. Simon Read was out early for 5, but a 54 partnership between Martin Cropper (42) & pro Brenton Parchment (25) laid the foundations for the win. But then in typical Ramsbottom fashion, especially at Church, we then made hard work of it. From a solid base of 88-2 to 93-7 before steady batting by Mark Dentith (8no) & Ross Brown (6no) steered Rammy home........(scorecard)

Sat 18th April - Ramsbottom 84 v Walkden 131                      Friendly
Walkden Walk the Walk

The final warm up game before the real stuff begins next Sunday ended with defeat for the Ramsbottom XI. Ramsbottom's bowlers did their bit bowling out Walkden for 131, Toby McLean 3-14, Simon Read  2-18 & Ross Brown 3-25. It was then up to the batsmen to cement the victory, but it wasn't to be. With Chris Wood top scoring with 31 & Richard Hevingham the only other batsman in double figures, 19. Ramsbottom where dismissed 47 run short of there target with 84 all out. 

Sun 12th April - Ramsbottom 184-9 v Woodlands 150-5           Friendly
Scoreboard Christened

Ramsbottom christened their new electronic scoreboard with a good win against the Bradford League Champions Woodlands CC. The Ramsbottom batsmen spent some time at the crease. David Bell top scoring  with 37, Martin Cropper & Robert Read got 25 each. Skipper Keith Webb hit 21 with Richard Hevingham 22  not out, in Ramsbottom's total of 185-9 including 35 extras. Woodlands scored 155-5 in reply, Ross Brown with 3-73 & Jack Walmsley 1-16. This was a 45 over game.

Sat 11th April - Ormskirk 147-9 v Ramsbottom 130                 Friendly
Rusty, But Not Far Away

Still no win at Ormskirk. Batting first, Ormskirk were restricted to 147-9 with the Ramsbottom bowlers getting a good run out. Toby McLean 3-22 the pick, Jack Walmsley 3-30 & Matty Lees 2-40 the other wicket takers. The Ramsbottom reply was steady, but once wickets started to fall, the rusty batsmen struggled. David Bell top scored with 29 and Jack Walmsley hit an impressive 20 to give the score respectability.  Ramsbottom bowled out for 130, a total that included 38 extras!