IN weather more akin to the middle of the soccer season, Ramsbottom fittingly borrowed the football shirts of the town's football club for last night's final of Rawtenstall's floodlit trophy competition.

Unfortunately though, that was there the similarity between the two sports ended as driving rain made cricket impossible once Ramsbottom had struggled in the gales to reach a total of 91.

The hosts' reply lasted no more than 10 deliveries before a further downpour brought a sad end to a ground-breaking three days and nights at the Worswick Memorial Ground.

Rawtenstall deserved better luck after showing the initiative to stage such an event. Undeterred, however, they are determined to make the tournament a permanent fixture on the local cricket calendar.

"It's a shame about the weather but it's been a big success and we will definitely do it again next year," said Rawtenstall chairman Brian Payne.

"We will look at ways of improving it and see if we can make it bigger. Talking to everyone, players and the crowd, they have enjoyed it." The competition, which featured the four Rossendale Valley clubs from the Transco Lancashire League, has certainly set tongues wagging.

A number of clubs have expressed an interest in playing in next 'summer's' event, while others seem keen to have a go at staging something similar.

Hopefully, nothing will steal Rawtenstall's thunder, however, and in their tight little ground they appear to have the perfect venue.

"It's a brilliant innovation and congratulations to Rawtenstall. We will certainly be back next year," said Rambsottom cricket manager Mick Everett.

His sentiments were echoed by skipper Mark Price, whose side found batting much harder than the previous evening when getting the better of Bacup in a wonderful high-scoring game.

He said: "It is dependent on the weather and on a beautiful summer's night you would probably get twice the crowds, but I think it's been very successful.

"At first the lads looked at it as having to play four games on the trot, but they have really enjoyed it." Price would like to see the regular sides playing next year, possibly with a greater number of clubs, rather than the inclusion of guest professionals. That may well be taken on board, although last night Rawtenstall took the opportunity to include Rishton professional Clinton Perren.

He conceded just five runs from his four overs and also took the prize wicket of Brad Hodge.

The Ramsbottom professional was caught by Victorian team-mate Matthew Mott for just nine but will no doubt point out in his defence, whenever the matter is raised back home, that he was almost too cold to hold the bat.

The clatter of wickets that followed Hodge's departure gave plenty chance for 'Tragedy' to get an airing over the sound system.

Individual tunes to accompany each player's entry into the fray, chosen from a list submitted by the players themselves, added to the authentic 'day-night' feel and certainly didn't deter the older supporters. And Bob Riley's chosen number was belted out on a regular basis as the second-team skipper enjoyed his moment in the spotlight with figures of 4-16 as Ramsbottom collapsed from 46-1 to 91 all out.

Only two players got into double figures apart from opener Nick Riley, who top-scored with 30 made from 49 balls with two sixes and three fours.

A couple of hundred hardy souls enjoyed the entertainment to take the number of spectators for the three nights to well above 1,000.

His knock also earned Riley a breather when Rawtenstall batted as Lee Daggett joined the action as the permitted 12th member of the squad.

Unfortunately he didn't get to bowl as the weather had the final say. With the rain tipping down again it was agreed to share the trophy until next year with play abandoned at 7.45pm. Pity that, because the light was perfect. RAMSBOTTOM

M Dentith run out...0

N Riley b Riley...30

Hodge c Mott b Perren...9

M Price c Cooke-Martin b Riley...1

J Harrison lbw b Riley...3

S Woods lbw Clough...2

J Marcroft run out...10

T Reed b Clough...6

R Hevingham c Hanson b Riley...0

C Eardley c Payne b Clough...10

M Haslam not out...3

Extras...17

Total (all out)...91

Bowling: A Payne 4-1-29-0; Mott 5-0-10-0; Perren 4-3-5-1; B Riley 7-2-16-4; A Clough 6-0-25-2; R Wood 1-0-1-0.

RAWTENSTALL

C Cooke-Martin not out...6

R Wood not out...0

Extras...1

Total...7

Bowling: M Haslam 1-0-4-0; C Eardley 0.4-0-2-0.