RAMSBOTTOM edged into a second successive Worsley Cup final after a thrilling win over Burnley in the gathering gloom late on Sunday night.

Their two run win was one of the most dramatic games in the cup’s history as the balance swung between the two in dramatic circumstances.

Ramsbottom slumped to 8-4 as they batted first only for professional Francois du Plessis and skipper Jon Fielding to turn it around.

They added a record 191 for the fifth wicket in a stand until Fielding was caught by Behardien off Bharat Tripathi (3-60) for a swashbuckling 95, including eight fours and three sixes.

South African du Plessis reaching his century and was finally out for 111, including eight fours and two sixes, caught and bowled by his fellow countryman and Titans team-mate Farhaan Behardien, who was later to play his own very large part in the drama.

Ramsbottom closed on 249-9 and were favourites - and were right in the box seat when Burnley were reduced to 73-4.

But Behardien was brilliant, even when his side slipped to 148-8 and seemingly out of the game. He punished the bowling and shared a ninth-wicket stand of 93 with Graham Lalor, who made just one in that partnership.

It seemed that Burnley were going to win as Behardien marched on but after hitting a sensational 175 with 18 fours and seven sixes, he was caught and bowled by du Plessis.

That left Burnley needing nine runs from nine balls - but Lalor and James Capstick fell just two runs short as the tie was sealed at 9.42pm.

The other semi-final will be continued on Monday night with Colne on 91-3 chasing Bacup’s 219 all out at Lanehead.

Home pro Michael Smith had top scored with 94 to steer Bacup beyond the 200 mark as Anwar Ali claimed 4-26 from 10 overs.

Church reached the final of the Lancashire Telegraph Cup as the beat neighbours Enfield by 116-runs while East Lancs need 70 from 10 overs tonight against Bacup after their semi-final was called off at 9.15pm.