RAMSBOTTOM'S second eleven captured the LET Junior Cup for the first time since 1995 after beating a strong Accrington side in a tensely fought game.

Batting was always going to be difficult on a Thorneyholme Road ground that was only passed fit to play two hours before the start and skipper Julian Marcroft had no hesitation in asking the home side to take first knock after winning the toss.

His bowlers then responded by putting the ball on the spot and giving the opposition no chance of easy runs.

Wickets fell at regular intervals as frustration crept in with only two of the home batsmen reaching double figures.

If the Rams thought a target of 87 was going to be easy they were in for a big shock.

The Accrington lads were really 'up for it' and bowled and fielded as if their lives depended on it.

With the score on 56 for 5 after 34 overs the game could have gone either way.

The next over, however, swung the game firmly in Ramsbottom's direction.

Having more or less bowled out his principal bowling the Accrington skipper brought on his fifth bowler Wasim Hussain.

Having started with a wicket maiden Hussain then seemed to lose the plot bowling a series of no-balls, full tosses and long hops in an over that went for 21 runs.

This more or less settled the game but two more wickets were lost before the Acre Bottom side passed the Accrington total.

On a day when bowlers were always on top Spencer Woods deservedly won the man of the match award for his patient 39 not out.

RAMSBOTTOM'S hopes of gaining a psychological advantage over Church prior to Sunday's Worsley Cup final were dashed at the weekend.

A heavy downpour brought play to a premature close after the Acre Bottom outfit had posted a very useful total on a difficult wicket.

Batting first, the Rams enjoyed another excellent opening partnership from professional Clarke (55 off 47 balls) and Riley (24) but when both fell with the score onl 87 Church applied the pressure and two further wickets followed in quick succession.

To their credit the Ramsbottom amateurs then set about repairing the damage and excellent knocks from Read, Webb and Harrison saw their side reach the 200 mark and set what whould have been a very demanding target had the weather not had the last say.

Sunday's Worsley Cup final marks the last game for both Michael Clarke the Ramsbottom Cricket Club professional and his Church counterpart Mark Higgs.

Both have been selected to play for an Australian A side which tours South Africa at the end of the month but have to leave on August 13 to join up with the squad.

Spectators are reminded that parking spaces for the final at Acre Bottom are very limited and with a large crowd expected they are advised to arrive as early as possible.

Wickets are pitched at 1.15pm and there are plenty of places available in the town centre area.

Meanwhile, in the BOLTON LEAGUE, Greenmount took an impressive step towards a last-ditch championship tussle with Tonge and Horwich after achieving a five wicket victory over fellow contenders Walkden.

That was Greenmount's ninth win from their last 11 games, a run that has seen them come up on the rails to rob their opponents of third place with 284 points while leaders Tonge have 315 and Horwich 300.

Walkden did not do too much wrong, certainly not with their batting, hitting 161-4 with Mike Bennison 65 not out and Douglas Watson 53, but the match turned with Mark Stewart's innings for Greenmount.

He hit a boundary-filled 42 that took his side to their winning total and there were useful contributions from Mark Fallon 38, and John Sharples 34 not out.

However, Greenmount couldn't get on the park in their cup clash with kearsley. Our wonderful summer showers have left the ground waterlogged and play has been abandoned on three nights in a row.