IT was honours even after Ramsbottom took on Rawtenstall two days running.

Rammy lost the first encounter in the league, but returned to form on the Sunday to march into the second round of the prestigious Worsley Cup competition.

And Ramsbottom pro Brad Hodge was delighted with the weekend's work.

''I wasn't too disappointed about Saturday because I really wanted to win the cup game, not that the league isn't important because we want to win every game we play," said the Aussie.

"I am really excited about the Worsley Cup compeition because I really think we can win it. We can definitely make the semi-finals anyway and I know the guys are pretty fired up for it."

In the cup win Ramsbottom reached 199, Hodge leading by example and top scoring with 63 - before being bowled by Rawtenstall pro Matthew Mott, who, like Hodge, is an Australian who also plays for Victoria.

When Rawtenstall went into bat, Rammy's plan was to slow them down. Two wickets from Tommy Read and three from Mark Price certainly did the trick and despite Richard Wood's 48 Ramsbottom bowled out the visitors for 170.

The previous day it had been a different story as Rawtenstall's Mott and Andrew Payne helped sink Rams.

Rawtenstall made 201 for 5, Payne hitting 66 and fellow opener Mott crashing 60.

Ramsbottom's Moreton took three wickets but it couldn't prevent the hosts posting a formidable total.

Ramsbottom rarely looked like gettin close and despite 47 from Hodge they were skittled out for a disappointing 148.

Rawtenstall's Payne did most of the damage, capping a man of the match performance with six wickets.