SECOND-placed Lancashire League side Ramsbottom went down to a 63-run defeat at newly-crowned champions Accrington on Sunday.

Home all-rounder Simon Hanson was the star of the day, hitting his third successive half century to pass 500 runs for the season and picked up career-best bowling figures of 4-15.

Openers Hanson and Graeme Sneddon put on 46 before the latter was caught behind by Tom Parton off Ramsbottom professional Pieter Malan for 27. Home pro Ashar Zaidi made 42 in a second- wicket stand of 97 with Hanson before being caught at long on by Mark Dentith off Andy Hakin for 42. Stand-on skipper Stuart Crabtree (eight), Andy Greenwood (16), Marley Ali (one) and Matt Wilson (three) all fell to off spinner Matt Sutton who also picked up a career-best 5-39.

He also picked up Hanson who hit 11 boundaries in making 90 from 116 balls. Sam Excell also made 18 as Accrington closed on 228-8. Parton and Dale Gabriel (16) put on 34 and then Malan and Parton put on 60 for the second wicket.

Malan passed 1,000 runs for the season in making 56 from 81 balls, including two fours in his last innings for the club. Ramsbottom were bowled out for 165.