RAMSBOTTOM have moved quickly to replace departed professional Daryn Smit by signing South African Grant Thomson for the 2017 season.

Smit penned a two-year deal with County Championship side Derbyshire earlier this week but the defending Lancashire League champions believe they have a capable replacement for a man who scored nearly 3,000 runs and took 231 wickets for the Acre Bottom men.

Thomson. 28. is an opening bowler and bats at four and has represented Northerns and Titans in his homeland..

And Ramsbottom Cricket chairman Andy Dalby is hoping Thomson can help the club challenge for honours once again.

Dalby said: "We believe it is a good signing, he came recommended by Daryn who has played against him and we have spoken to a couple of people who rate him highly.

"He is a medium fast bowler and a strong batsman and we believe he will be able to be in the game as much as Daryn was for the past couple of seasons.

"The boys are all stoked at the signing and hopefully he can hit the ground running."

Thomson will miss the opening few games of the season while the paperwork is processed and Ramsbottom have moved to sign a sub-professional for the Colne Trophy season opener and the first Lancashire League clash of the season.

On the departure of Smit, Dalby added: "In my opinion Daryn certainly ranks up there as one of the greats that the club have engaged as a professional.

"We all felt this (move) was going to happen at the back end of last season when Daryn scored a double century in a second XI fixture and albeit the timing isn't great for us as a club, we want to place on record our sincere thanks for all that he has done and wish him nothing but the best for his future."