RAMSBOTTOM captain Tom Parton expects his side to be underdogs this weekend against Nelson - despite starting the Lancashire League season with a bang.

Rammy beat last season’s runners-up Darwen a week ago to defy the doubters, with professional Senuran Muthusamy taking 6-33 with the ball having been run-out at the non-striker’s end without scoring when batting.

That win has given Parton’s men lift-off this term, and he said: “It was a fantastic win, a great way to start the season. It was a tad unexpected around the league and probably for a few of our supporters, going in against Darwen who lost one game in the league (in phase one) last season.”

While South Africa A international Muthusamy suffered an unfortunate start with the bat, he proved a real danger with the ball.

“Fortunately his bad luck didn’t continue and he got a good bowl,” said Parton. “He bowled exceptionally well. I probably had the best view in the house keeping wicket to him. I always felt in the game.

“You don’t play for South Africa A unless you can bowl. With him and Jon Fielding bowling in tandem it gives the team a good threat.”

Nelson also started with a win last weekend, beating Enfield, and Parton expects the Seedhill outfit to be favourites.

“Nelson had a good win, I think Duckworth-Lewis came into it for the first time in Lancashire League history, but that’s much better for everyone,” he said.

“We’re expecting another tough game. We’ll be viewing ourselves as underdogs going into most fixtures. It’s been well documented that we’re a tad light with Simon Read not playing, especially on the bowling front.

“We’re going to be up against it most week but we can mix and match and if we play like we did last Sunday we’ll be competitive.”