RAMSBOTTOM made it back-to-back maximum points wins in the Surridge Sports Valley Challenge Trophy after sealing a seven-wicket victory at Bacup.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat but Rammy captain and professional Daryn Smit did the damage, taking 4-8 as Bacup were bowled out for 96.

The hosts got off to the worst possible start when they lost opener Simon Newbitt without a run on the board, caught by Hary Caton off the bowling of Jack Wynn who went on to take 2-27.

Matthew Collinge (13) and Scott Thompson (24) put up some resistance, taking Bacup to 38 before Collinge became the first of Smit’s four victims.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Bacup then lost wickets at regular intervals with no other player reaching double figures – Daniel Pyke taking the wicket of Thompson who was caught by Christopher Round.

Pyke finished with 2-14 while Round took 2-15 as Bacup were all out in the 33rd over.

In reply, Rammy new boy Kieran Grimshaw followed up his impressive 76 not out against Rawtenstall last weekend with another unbeaten knock, the opener carrying his bat to score 33 to guide his side to victory.

The former Accrington man hit three fours in his 69-ball stay at the crease as Ramsbottom reached their target in the 24th over for the loss of three wickets.

Fellow opener Caton scored seven before he was caught behind by Collinge off the bowling of Sam Lord.

The same pair combined to dismiss Rehan Udwadia for 14. Bradley Fielding scored 11 before he was clean bowled by Matt Thompson.

But Ramsbottom eased to victory when Ben Parkinson joined Grimshaw at the crease and finished unbeaten on 16.

Rawtenstall enjoyed a 15-run victory over Haslingden.

Batting first, Rawtenstall posted 168-8 off their 40 overs with Rizwan Shafiq top scoring with 51.

Openers Matthew Kershaw (30) and Peter Killelea (23) laid steady foundations and while Dan Southworth and Dean O’Brien both went for ducks, Imran Abid (20) and Adam Ahmed (16) added vital late runs.

In reply, Connor Reid (22) and Joe Sipocz (25) kept the scoreboard ticking over but Keith Roscoe (4-18) and Killelea (3-26) helped dismiss Haslingden for 153.