Graham and Aijaz put on 73 ©Nigel Stockley

Accrington move into joint second place after a 61 run win over Ramsbottom at Thorneyholme Road. Graham Lloyd top scored with 93 from the top of the order as Accrington made 228-5 in a 46 overs a-side game. Lloyd hit ten fours and two sixes from 135 balls in making his highest score at Thorneyholme Road. Aijaz Shah made 32 in a 2nd wicket stand of 71 with Lloyd. Simon Hanson then took just 24 balls to smash an unbeaten 53 with six fours and three sixes. Ramsbottom skipper Jon Fielding took 3-108 to take his wicket tally for the season to 40. David Ormerod did likewise in picking up 3-67 as Ramsbottom were restricted to 167-7. Professional Pieter Malan hit an unbeaten 103 with six sixes and four fours, passing 400 runs for the season in the process. He faced 121 balls after coming to the wicket after Tom Parton had fallen to Accrington skipper Jimmy Hayhurst (2-24) in the second over without scoring. Professional Ashar Zaidi took 2-69, having bowled 9 maidens in his first 13 overs during which he conceded just 6 runs. Sam Halstead hit a career best 27 and Alex Bell 12, but they were the only players in double figures as Ramsbottom slumped to a fifth defeat of the season.