HAVING secured the runners-up spot in the Lancashire League last season, Ramsbottom are focused on another sustained challenge for the championship in 2015.
They are bolstered by the return of South African Darren Smit as their professional who had an outstanding season in 2014 taking 90 wickets at less than eight each and accumulating 791 runs with the bat at a healthy average of 56.
With no significant losses to the first team squad and the return to the fold of Richard Rothwell, Andy Holt and Martin Cropper who have a wealth of first team experience between them, Rammy see themselves as having a strong 16-man amatuer squad comprising almost exclusively of homegrown players.
With a well travelled and experienced amateur bowling attack built around Jon Fielding, Simon Reid and Michael Haslem to support the professional a successful campaign will turn much on the resilience of the batting.
Rammy's league season starts on Sunday with a home game against Rishton followed by a testing second weekend with games against last season's champions Lowerhouse at home on April 25 and Enfield away on Sunday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here