RAMSBOTTOM were involved in what's sure to be the Lancashire League match of the season as a host of scoring records were smashed at Todmorden's Centre Vale ground.

They exploited a superb batting pitch to successfully overhaul the Yorkshiremen's 301 for 3 in an amazing game.

It was the highest-ever winning second innings score as they finish on 303 for 7 with seven balls to spare.

Skipper Brian Taylor showed them the way with a terrific 82 from just 71 balls and along with opener Tommy Read, who cracked 84, laid the foundations for an unlikely triumph - only their fourth of the summer.

The pairing put on 151 before Taylor fell with the score on 171 but then a fourth wicket stand of 53 between Simon Lord (38 from 43 balls) and Mark Price (28 from 22) maintained the momentum.

With 134 needed from the last 20 overs a couple more wickets fell by the wayside and with ten remaining the target was 66.

But a superb whirlwind 31 from 16 balls from Julian Marcroft gave the Rams just the boost they needed and they blasted the final 27 runs for victory from just 10 balls.

Understandably the home side were gobsmacked!

Earlier their professional Brendan Nash had hit a marvellous club record 176 not out cracking seven sixes and 21 fours in his 147-ball innings.

The young Aussie shared a record 252-run stand with skipper Richard Beigent who chipped in with 94 from 127 balls as Todmorden looked all set for a comfortable victory.

But they reckoned without Taylor and his Mission Impossible men.

"I don't think anyone will play in another game like that," said the Ramsbottom captain.

"Hopefully after a result like that we will pick up again and go onwards and upwards," he added.

The triumph lifted the Rams to ninth place in the Lancashire League table. WAYNE Griffiths marked his return to the Woodbank fold with a fine half century but it wasn't enough to earn his side a share of the spoils when Thornham visited The Kenyons.

On a good pitch in baking hot conditions the home side did well to restrict the visitors to 208 for 6 with thanks mainly to a fine knock of 126 from youngster Anthony Edden.

After losing early wickets Woodbank were never seriously in the hunt until Griffiths recalled former glories by slashing the Thornham bowling attack to all parts of the square and cover boundaries for 60.

But Griffiths' heroics failed to inspire his teammates to any meaningful support and the reply fizzled out on 144.

GREENMOUNT got back to winning ways in the Bolton League when they made the trip to Horwich.

The home side looked in all kinds of trouble at 81 for 6 but a steadying seventh wicket partnership of 69 between Chris Bannister and Andrew Taylor gave the score a more respectable look as they posted a total of 187 for 8 from their 50 overs.

Mark Stewart (4 for 56) and South African amateur Barry Narramore (3 for 55) shared the bowling plaudits for the villagers.

A fine fourth wicket partnership of 128 between in-form professional Craig Norris (67 not out) and Jimmy Horrox - who showed his undoubted class to finish unbeaten on 86 - formed the backbone of the Greenmount reply as they eased home for a seven wicket triumph.

THE local battle for the Bolton Association title shows no sign of abating with Elton and Walshaw still occupying the top two positions.

But neither could manage a victory at the weekend with Elton tieing a thrilling home game with Golborne and their Sycamore Road rivals slipping to a 44-run defeat against Little Hulton.

Aussie professional Greg Dimery was top man for the Leigh Lane side hitting 82 and with skipper John Bushell adding 66, they set a target of 203 for 7.

But in a dramatic finish the visitors - seven wickets down - required five runs to win off the final over.

A run came off the first ball then they failed to score from the next two then lost a wicket to leave them requiring four from the final two balls.

A single was scrambled off the penultimate delivery then Cullen lofted the final ball in the air before scampering for two runs as the ball dropped safely between fielders.

Walshaw's title hopes were dented when they found Little Hulton's 241 for 6 a bridge too far.

Bret Collins, Mark Greenhalgh and professional Jon Fielding chipped in with two runs apiece before Fielding had to be taken to hospital with a broken knuckle.

Paul Cox (56) and Greenhalgh (35) were the batsmen who contributed most in the reply as Walshaw were dismissed for 197.

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