Ramsbottom v Accrington
Saturday April 24th 2010

The team watches as Rammy receive the Colne Trophy ©Nigel Stockley

Ramsbottom won the Ron Singleton Colne Trophy by losing fewer wickets after their game with league champions Accrington at Acre Bottom finished with the scores level. Chasing Ramsbottom's imposing 233-5, Accrington looked on course for victory thanks to a 4th wicket stand of 119 between professional Will Driver and Graham Lloyd but when Driver was out at 194 the game swung in Ramsbottom's favour. A match winning spell of bowling by home skipper Jon Fielding helped Ramsbottom win the trophy for the third time.

Ramsbottom's sub professional Clinton Perren hit an impressive century, striking eight fours and a six in making 109 from his 145 ball stay. He added 151 for the 3rd wicket with David Bell, who made 64 from 78 balls. Jamie Pilling (14), Alex Bell (11) and Fielding (13 not out) also chipped in. Driver picked up 2-48 for Accrington.

Jack Walmsley removed Accrington opener James Ormerod to strike first blood but Driver and Simon Hanson took the score to 51 before Hanson was given out caught behind for 27 off Fielding. Stuart Crabtree (15) added 24 with his professional before being bowled by Perren. Driver was then joined by Graham Lloyd and this pair looked to have put Accrington firmly in the drivers seat until Fielding picked up a return catch to remove the Accrington professional for a well made 83 which included eleven fours from 97 balls. This slowed the scoring rate down and Fielding struck again to send back Matt Wilson for 11. Going into the final over 10 runs were needed for victory. This became six from five balls after Fielding's first ball went for four byes. Disaster struck for Accrington though when Lloyd was run out two balls later for 71 (ten fours). Two were needed from the final ball, but Graeme Sneddon was run out going for the match winning run to give Ramsbottom the trophy. Fielding finished with 3-35.

Scorecard