RAMSBOTTOM appeared to have a relatively comfortable start to the 2004 Lancashire League season on paper, but nothing can be taken for granted and despite excellent performances from their sub-professionals they slipped to two ignominious defeats.

On Saturday they suffered an early blow with two late cry-offs from experienced players, but the amateurs then failed to capitalise on some ordinary bowling by getting out to a series of awful shots.

Fortunately, sub-professional Sajith Fernando showed his colleagues how it should be done with a fine knock of 85 and with skipper Hevingham chipping in with a brisk unbeaten 22, the Rams were able to post a total which should have took all the beating.

Nobody, however, had read the script to the youngsters of Accrington and they set about the task with gusto, Wilson benefited from an early dropped catch in the slips.

When Mick Haslam got rid of the two openers the only fly in the ointment appeared to be home professional Tama Canning.

He was full of confidence and it came as a great shock when he fell lbw to Fernando with the total on 69.

On the same score the Ramsbottom paid man held a fine catch to send back the dangerous Sneddon and things looked good for the visitors.

However, this proved to be a false dawn as the Accrington amateurs showed a confidence that has been missing in recent years, to knock off the runs for the loss of only two further wickets.

The loss was further compounded by the fact that Ramsbottom's most experienced amateur batsman, Brian Taylor, had injured his back and would be unavailable the following day.

As well as Fernando had performed the day before, he was totally overshadowed by the performance of Sunday's sub-professional Mahendra Nagamootoo.

Unfortunately, the amateurs once again failed to back up their paid man and the Rams went down to an agonising last ball defeat against a side filled with young and inexperienced players.

The former West Indian test player's contribution was awesome as he contributed nearly half his side's total of runs then claimed six of the eight opposition wickets that fell and just for good measure ran the other two out.

The fact that he had the winning runs scored off his last ball, and the last ball of the game, was made more tragic by the fact that he nearly caught it, just getting his fingertips to the ball as is went over his head.

If there was any consolation for the West Indian it was the fact that his two collections put more than £100 on his fee.

This week sees the arrival of Ramsbottom professional Murali Kartik.

As good a player as he is reckoned to be he will need better backing from his amateur colleagues than they have so far provided if the Rams are going to have anything like a decent season.