RAMSBOTTOM strolled into the last four of the Worsley Cup as they crushed sorry East Lancs in a quarter-final that rarely lived up to pre-match expectations.

The tie was a head-to-head between Jamaican team-mates Brendan Nash and Brenton Parchment and it was the former West Indies opener who triumphed over current Test man Nash, although the rival professionals were overshadowed by the amateurs.

In fact, both pros were left staring in disbelief at the manner of their dismissals as they fell to simply stunning catches.

And as it turned out, it was David Bell’s marvellous diving effort at point to remove Nash that was the real game turner – and from that point, East Lancs never looked like chasing down a Ramsbottom total of 196-7.

Rammy did well to reach that total after an innings that failed to ignite on a track that looked suited for runs, especially with the weather doing its bit to make the West Indian pros feel at home.

They won the toss and chose to bat but lost skipper Keith Webb with the score on 16 as he was trapped leg before.

And 10 runs later, Alex Bell was on his way back after being caught in the slips.

With Parchment at the crease, Ramsbottom hoped their innings would take off but he and David Bell opted for a measured approach, although the professional almost went when on 13 and the score on 48 as he mishit a drive off David Turner and was lucky to see the ball drop just clear of Paul Kelly at cover.

Kelly was then introduced into the attack and his off-spin seemed to confuse Parchment, who was wonderfully adept at punishing half-volleys and full tosses but certainly not at his happiest when playing a turning ball.

However, he did make it to 45 and finally seemed set to go on when he was out to a breathtaking catch by John Turner.

David Bell was batting well but he lost new partner Rob Read, Ross Brown and Richard Hevingham in quick succession and with the score on 136-6 with 10 overs to go, the game was balanced.

But David Bell passed his 50, while Nick Murphy made a vital 22 before being comically run out as Rammy chased extra runs with the score on 190.

Bell finished unbeaten on 68 and his side totalled 196 – but that didn’t seem enough on a perfect day for batting.

However, East Lancs were rocked in the second over as John Turner was trapped leg before by the rapid Toby McLean.

That brought Nash to the crease and he looked to be in great touch, driving beautifully to the boundary through extra cover.

But with the score on 17, Nash launched into a long hop from McLean and a four looked certain until David Bell dived to hold a marvellous, game-breaking catch.

Nash looked, shook his head and walked off for just seven. The East Lancs hopes walked off Alexandra Meadows with him as their innings subsided.

Clague was unlucky as the ball rolled back on to his stumps via pad and bat, and Abdul Biswoodal paid the ultimate price for being on his heels as he was run out after being slow off the mark.

Kelly was bowled while trying to force the pace and after 20 overs, East Lancs were a sorry 47-5.

Patel was bowled by Parchment and it was becoming embarrassing.

But amid the carnage, Pearson was grittily digging in until he was caught. David Turner went before skipper Mark Bolton, clearly feeling the effects of his recent hamstring problems, was run out on his first ball.

That made it 60-9 off 30 overs but the unlikely batting pairing of Iqbal and Sweeney delayed the inevitable with a 10-over cameo as they added 31.

Iqbal made 19 including a pulled six straight into the open air gents’ toilets – you wouldn’t fancy fielding that one – and then frustrated McLean into an uncalled for yet funny ball-throwing tantrum before Sweeney was bowled and East Lancs were 91 all out.

Ramsbottom innings
K Webb lbw b Sweeney 10
AW Bell c Clague b Patel 8
Parchment c JPA Turner b Kelly 45
DM Bell not out 68
RE Read st Pearson b Iqbal 5
RLE Brown c Pearson b Iqbal 13
RD Hevingham b Sweeney 1
N Murphy run out 22
J McLean not out 2
Extras 22
Total (7 wickets) 196

Bowling: Patel 6 0 23 1 Sweeney 10 1 36 2 DCT Turner 5 1 17 0 Kelly 10 0 35 1 Nash 10 1 34 0 Iqbal 9 0 49 2

East Lancashire innings
DJ Pearson c Hevingham
b Walmsley 32
JPA Turner lbw b McLean 0
Nash c DM Bell b McLean 7
AJ Clague b Haslam 5
A Bisoodwall run out 3
PB Kelly b Walmsley 2
S Patel b Parchment 1
DCT Turner c Hevingham b Brown 6
N Iqbal not out 19
MJ Bolton run out 1
S Sweeney b Brown 4
Extras 11
Total (10 wickets) 91

Bowling: Haslam 8 2 15 1 McLean 10 2 25 2 Walmsley 7 4 11 2 Parchment 6 1 11 1 Brown 6.5 1 16 2 Murphy 2 0 8 0

Result: Ramsbottom won by 105 runs