Ramsbottom came through a game in which they looked well out of, on more than one occasion, to replace opponents Burnley at top of the Lancashire League table.
Rammy Regain League Top Spot
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Acre Bottom boys slumped to 12 for 4 with all the top four amateur batsmen falling to the Burnley opening attack of sub professional Dieter Klein and Cole Hayman who bowled with a speed and aggression.
The home fans certainly thought that they would be home in time for the Cup Final however Alex Olpin gave them some hope with a well struck 27 in a partnership with professional George Linde which took the score to 59. When Olpin departed, followed by John Fielding in quick succession – Rammy were clear second favourites.
Enter Brad Fielding. Now Brad would be the first to admit that he has had a poor start to the season and his position was in jeopardy so understandably he started nervously. He had struggled to two when he finally middled the ball only to see a Burnley close in fielder nearly pull off a miraculous catch. Such moments can alter one’s perspective and that certainly applied to Brad as he started to time the ball sweetly and take the attack to the opposition. With professional Linde batting with great composure, the pair put on an invaluable stand before Fielding fell to a brilliant catch at slip for an excellent 43. The tail then wagged and even though Linde fell for a well-made and chanceless 66, Rammy had fine contributions from Owen Collinge, Jack Wynn and Dan Pyke culminating in the home side managing to take the score to a seemingly nigh impossible score of 200 earlier in the day.
Although the score was challenging – Burnley had a strong batting line-up and Rammy needed to bowl tightly and field well.
This we did – thanks to fine spells from Wynn, Collinge and Pyke. But despite applying the pressure, Rammy were unable to split the opening Burnley pair. It took the introduction of professional Linde to achieve the breakthrough which he did with his second delivery – trapping Holt leg before. Wickets then started to fall at regular intervals as Linde and fellow spinner John Fielding exploited the turn in the wicket. The Rammy fielding was very tight ,highlighted by a fine leg side stumping by skipper Parton and a brilliant diving catch by Wynn in the deep.
Burnley was eventually dismissed for 127 with George Linde finishing with figures of 5-46 off 15 overs to complete a fine all round performance while the reliable Fielding ended up with 4-24 off 12.4 overs.
This was a remarkable game of cricket which had more twists and turns than a Line of Duty series and kept the crowd enthralled throughout.
Man of the Match goes to Brad Fielding.