AT a sundrenched Colne ground on Sunday it looked like a clear case of the morning after the night before for the early Ramsbottom batsmen.

The after effects of the bash to celebrate Mark Dentith's wedding the night before were there for all to see as they slumped to 41 for 5 after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Indeed, the bridegroom had to face the embarrassment of a first ball duck, followed by a barrage of typical smutty remarks from colleagues and fans alike.

The in-form Lee Daggett then came to the crease to join the Acre Bottom professional Murali Kartik and together they started to build a partnership which frustrated the home side.

Kartik reached his third 50 of the season and showed the supporters that there are more strings to his bow than just bowling, as he played some lovely strokes to both sides of the wicket.

A maiden century looked on the cards until he gloved an attempted sweep and was well taken by the wicketkeeper with the score on 130.

Robert Read then joined Daggett and not for the first time the two youngsters led the opposition a merry dance with some excellent running between the wickets, until Daggett was bowled an agonising five runs short of what would have been a well deserved half-century.

Read soon followed but the Ramsbottom tail wagged with skipper Hevingham looking in fine form and an all out total of 197 represented a magnificent recovery.

With the Horsfield being known as one of the fastest scoring grounds in the league, Ramsbottom were far from being out of the woods and the Colne opener Wilson rode his luck to the full, smashing 34 out of an opening stand of 45 before being clean bowled in Daggett's first over.

Kartik had by this time started to weave his magic and was making scoring very difficult from his end and, with Daggett bowling well, the scoring rate started to fall and wickets tumbled until Colne's professional Joubert was joined by Ali.

This pair took the score to 119 before Joubert was deceived by Kartik in flight and was bowled middle stump.

To his great credit Ali did not give up the chase and hit some fine strokes before being eventually well caught on the edge by Keith Webb for 47.

This virtually signalled the end of Colne's chances and none of the tail could really come to terms with the Ramsbottom bowling, which throughout the innings had been backed up by some excellent fielding.

In the end the last pair stuck it out to deny the Rams two bowling points, but from the early precarious position they were in this has to be considered a magnificent victory which could prove so vital in the championship run in.