RAMSBOTTOM hit rock bottom of the Transco Lancashire League on Saturday but restored pride twenty-four hours later by reaching the semi-final of the Inter League Trophy.

At the heart of Sunday's success story was professional Brad Hodge whose magnificent, unbeaten century ensured a successful run chase after visitors Middleton had posted a big score at Acre Bottom.

But that was a far cry from the league performance at Todmorden where the Rams were tumbled out for 103

Hodge (21) and Mark Dentith (24) had steadied the innings after two early blows but once they were separated Rammy added only 38 runs, bowler Oddy their biggest worry as he finished with 4 for 44.

But with only four players reaching double figures this was a disappointing batting performance by the visitors and their total posed no problems for Todmorden who cruised through at 105 for 4 to keep the leaders in sight.

But on home ground the following day the Rams revealed the fighting qualities which will be needed to haul themselves away from the Lancashire League wooden spoon spot.

They obviously relished a spot of knockout cricket, although when Central Lancashire League outfit Middleton reached 196 in their 45 overs it was always going to be difficult to reach the target.

The top five of the visitors all got among the runs and when Tommy Read went cheaply for Ramsbottom, the odds were stacked against the home side.

But cometh the hour, cometh the man and Aussie Hodge produced one of the great innings seen at Acre Bottom.

He paced himself early on as he and Mark Dentith shared a vital third wicket stand of 85, but with 50 needed off five overs and Ramsbottom at 144 for 8, Hodge savagely assaulted the Middleton attack which took him to 117 not out and his side to a two-wicket win with an over to spare.

Three sixes and 13 fours from the Aussie and Middleton were shattered.

TODMORDEN v

RAMSBOTTOM

RAMSBOTTOM

D. Bell c Dearden b Nicholson...7

M. Price c Nicholson b Oddy...0

B. Hodge c Baigent b Oddy...21

M. Dentith c Baigent b Oddy...24

T. Read c Morgan b Oddy...11

A. Bell st Whitehead b Morgan...14

J. Marcroft c Jackson b Nicholson...5

R. Hevingham b Morgan...0

G. Moreton run out...3

L. Daggett not out...7

M. Haslam c & b Jackson...2

Extras...9

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Total 103

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47.5 overs

Nicholson 24-10-45-2. S. Oddy 18-7-44-4. J. Morgan 4-1-5-2. R. Jackson 1.5-0-4-1.

TODMORDEN

R. Baigent not out...61

S. Priestly b Haslam...8

C. Dearden b Hodge...5

Nicholson b Moreton...10

N. Hunter b Moreton...2

N. Brierley not out...10

Extras...9

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Total (for 4) 105

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31.1 overs

N. Haslam 6-0-20-1. L. Daggett 4-1-14-0. B. Hodge 11-1-36-1. G. Moreton 10-4-28-2. D. Bell 0.1-0-4-0.

INTER-LEAGUE KNOCKOUT

RAMSBOTTOM v

MIDDLETON

MIDDLETON

M. Gardner c Hodge b Read...24

J. Peris c Hodge b Price...23

S. Brierley st Hevingham b Marcroft...38

J. Punchard b Haslam...32

J. Ryan run out...23

S. Davey run out...2

D. Norris c D. Bell b Marcroft...18

R. Purser not out...4

L. Wolstenholme not out...0

Extras...32

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Total (for 7) 196

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45 overs

M. Haslam 9-0-52-1. L. Daggett 4-0-12-0. B. Hodge 9-2-15-0. M. Price 9-1-22-1. T. Read 4-0-19-1. G. Moreton 5-0-23-0. J. Marcroft 5-0-32-0.

RAMSBOTTOM

D. Bell c Brierley b Norris 15

T. Read c Tomlinson b Punchard...3

B. Hodge not out...117

M. Dentith c Ryan b Tomlinson...27

M. Price b Tomlinson...1

A. Bell run out...2

J. Marcroft lbw Tomlinson...3

R. Hevingham c Brierley b Peris...1

L. Daggett c Tomlinson b Peris...2

G. Moreton not out...7

Extras...17

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Total (for 8) 197

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44 overs

L. Wolstenholme 9-2-22-0. D. Norris 9-0-47-1. J. Punchard 9-2-21-1. P. Tomlinson 9-1-41-3. J. Peris 8-0-57-2.