BROOKSBOTTOM face a huge test if they are to cap their debut season in the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League with silverware when the Ramsbottom Cup final resumes tonight.

The league new boys, many people’s tips for relegation, have confounded many of their critics with impressive displays and they sit in mid-table.

They also reached the cup final – and went into the game against 2011 winners Ribblesdale Wanderers having beaten the Ribble Valley outfit twice in recent weeks.

But on a day when rain threatened the wreck all the hard work put in by classy hosts Cherry Tree, it was Wanderers who held the upper hand when the rain finally played its final hand.

As thunderstorms stuck late on Saturday night and threatened cricket throughout East Lancashire, Cherry’s Preston Old Road ground lived up to its reputation as one of the best around for draining and play started on time with Wanderers taking first knock in front of a decent crowd for the league’s big day out.

Wanderers were brilliant when they beat Read in the 2011 final and they put their recent batting woes behind them from the off on a good track.

They got off to a good start and were 26-1 after just four overs and passed 50 inside 11 overs as they scored freely on a fast outfield.

Brannon Varley led the way for Martin Briggs’ men as he made a fine 86 with his full variety of shots being shown off to really put Wanderers in the box seat.

With 14 of their 50 overs left they were 171-5 and that was the cue for Mick Clarkson to step up to the plate.

Sporting an impressive moustache, Clarkson played a swashbuckling innings as he made a terrific 61 not out to help his men up to a daunting 275-7 at the end of their innings after 33 runs came from the final two overs.

There had been a couple of rain delays and the heavens opened again during the tea interval.

But the rain relented enough to allow Brooksbottom to begin their reply in front of their large band of travelling supporters.

However, after two balls they were forced off again with fears that it could have been the end of the day.

But play started once again at 7.15pm and the teams managed around 35 minutes action.

And it was Wanderers who were happier at that as they reduced Brooksbottom to 44-2 from 11 overs.

It means they need another 231 runs from 39 overs when play resumes at 6.15pm.