RAMSBOTTOM captain Tom Parton says his side will look forward to taking on one of the big guns of the Liverpool competition in the last 16 of the LCB Knockout Cup after they secured progress with a comfortably win over Crompton.

Sunday’s rain-affected tie at Acre Bottom was an ‘ugly game’, according to the home skipper. But he was delighted his side got the job done to set up a mouth-watering clash with Firwood Bootle at the start of next month.

“We’re looking to go as far as we can in this competition,” he said.

“Bootle come with a good reputation and any of the teams in the last 16 will be a good side, but if we want to go all the way we will have to beat anyone that’s in front of us.

“If the weather is nice it should get a good crowd down to our ground. We will probably go in to the match as underdogs, but that’s not a bad position to be in for a cup clash.”

The weather was anything but fine for Sunday’s clash with Pennine League outfit Crompton. A day after seeing their Lancashire League match at Darwen washed out, Rammy were again dodging the rain.

“It was quite an ugly game due to the weather and it was a very challenging pitch, as was demonstrated by none of the batsmen on either side really getting going,” said Parton.

“It wasn’t one for the purists, we were off four times in the field, but we did what we needed to do to progress.”

Matthew Burdaky was the pick of the bowlers with 3-17 as the visitors were all out for 134.

Ramsbottom professional Grant Thomson then top scored with 41 as his side got home with six wickets in hand.

Parton added: “There are six Lancashire League sides through to the last 16, which shows how the LCB Knockout is rated.

“In the past you couldn’t get past the third round, but the change in rules means clubs are putting out very strong sides.”

LCB Knockout Cup last 16 draw: Burnley v Horwich, Egerton v Lytham, Clitheroe v Longridge, Lowerhouse v Rochdale, Ramsbottom v Firwood Bootle, Leyland v Church, Haslingden v Ormskirk, Norden v Prestwich.