ROOKIE Ramsbottom skipper Tom Parton has had a taste of Lancashire Knockout success and he wants more.

The 22-year-old batsman led the Acre Bottom men to their best-ever showing in the competition before Sunday’s four-wicket defeat at home to tournament favourites Ormskirk in the semi-finals.

Parton is now switching his focus to guiding the reigning Lancashire League champions to a top-four finish to ensure they have another crack at the county cup next season.

They are fifth in the table with five matches remaining, and go into this weekend’s double-header against leaders Clitheroe and fourth-placed Burnley still with plenty to play for.

“I was obviously disappointed on Sunday to lose the match as we were desperate to book our place in the final at Old Trafford,” said Parton.

“But I don’t think there was any disgrace in losing to Ormskirk as they are a top-class team.

“They are in the latter stages of the National Knockout and runaway favourites to claim the county title.

“I think when the dust settles and we look back on this campaign, there will be plenty of positives to take from it, as we also made the last four of the Worsley Cup.

“For me, in my first year as captain, it has been a massive learning curve, a real eye-opener, but I think I will be happy as long as we force our way into the top four in the league. That is our main aim now, to qualify for another crack at the Lancs Knockout. Retaining the title is probably out of reach, but I think we can squeeze into second place with a bit of luck.”

The Ormskirk defeat was pro Grant Thomson’s last match. He has returned for pre-season with South African franchise Easterns but will be replaced by former Rams captain Daryn Smit, now of Derbyshire, for the remainder of the campaign.