RAMSBOTTOM gave an all-time low performance as they exited the Inter League Trophy against a strong Rochdale side.

Electing to bat first, the away side suffered an early setback when the prolific Simon Brierley was lbw to Chris Eardley without troubling the scorers.

Wilcock and professional Arothe set about repairing the damage but the introduction of spinner Mark Price brought immediate results when he had the professional caught.

Rochdale skipper Henderson and Butterworth put on 64 in pretty quick time and the lower order batsmen had a merry swing to post a highly respectable score of 192-8.

In reply, Jason Arnberger and Simon Read batted steadily before the paid man was adjudged lbw to Avery.

A further 11 runs were added before Read departed and following this, the Rams disintegrated to the bowling of Henderson to be dismissed for 75.

Meanwhile, visiting East Lancs had no hesitation in electing to bat first.

Down in confidence, Ramsbottom had the worst possible start when opener Bolton was dropped at slip from the first delivery of the game.

The opposition's pro Louw then strode to the wicket and the flayed the Rams attack to all parts of the ground.

He put on 145 with Turner before Read trapped Turner for 59.

Louw was finally dismissed by Arnberger for 84 as the Aussie took three wickets in the final overs to restrict the run rate.

The Rams set about their target with gusto and Arnberger combined with Webb to put on 96 massive runs. However both fell after make fifties to leave Taylor the glory as the Rams finished on 224-4 to win by six wickets.

RAMSBOTTOM v ROCHDALE

Rochdale

P Wilcock c Read b Arnberger...28

S Brierley lbw Eardley...0

T Arothe c Eardley b Price...13

J Henderson run out...36

A Dawson lbw Price...1

M Butterworth c Hevingham b Haslam...38

N Avery b Horrocks...1

R Oldfield not out...22

M Bux c and b Read...17

Extras...36

Total (for 8)...192

M Haslam 9-2-38-1; C eardley 7-0-37-1; M Price 9-2-16-2; J Arnberger 9-1-34-1; S Read 9-0-50-1; B Horrocks 2-0-10-1.

Ramsbottom

J Arnberger lbw Avery...28

K Webb run out...5

S Read c Brierley b Avery...16

B Taylor c Oldfield b Henderson...14

M Dentith c Oldfield b Henderson...2

M Price c Avery b Arothe...3

B Horrocks c Oldfield b Henderson...2

D Bell st Oldfield b Arothe...0

M Haslam not out...0

R Hevingham b Henderson...1

C Eardley c Oldfield b Henderson...0

Extras...3

Total...75

M Bux 5-1-7-0; S Oddy 6-2-21-0; N Avery 7-0-16-2; T Arothe 9-0-20-2; J Henderson 5.4-3-10-5.

RAMSBOTTOM v EAST LANCS

East Lancs

R Cooper b Eardley...1

P Bolton c Hevingham b Eardley...23

P Turner lbw Read...59

J Louw c and b Arnberger...84

P Mercer st Hevingham b Arnberger...0

G Rose c Hevingham b Arnberger...0

P Kelly b Read...13

N Iqbal not out...12

J Fairless not out...7

Extras...23

Total (for 7)...227

M Haslam 11-1-32-0; C Eardley 10-2-32-2; R Horrocks 6-1-31-0; M Price 8-0-47-0; S Read 9-1-41-2; J Arnberger 6-0-25-3.

Ramsbottom

J Arnberger c Egan b Fairless...61

S Woods b Iqbal...11

K Webb st Egan b Fairless...65

B Taylor not out...62

S Read lbw Louw...0

M Dentith not out...10

Extras...15

Total (for 4)...222

J Louw 11-0-42-1; N Iqbal 4-1-22-1; P Mercer 5-0-31-0; H Doyle 7-1-31-0; P Kelly 9.3-0-51-0; J Fairless 10-0-36-2; P Bolton 1-0-7-0.