THE shadow over Hamilton Road on Saturday had no connection with the weather or Stand's defeat at the hands of Royton in the Central Lancashire League.

Of greater concern was the well-being of opening batsman and former skipper Phil Ramsbottom who complained of feeling unwell after his innings and finished the day in the casualty department of Bury General Hospital.

He was later admitted to the chest unit for monitoring and, while he may not play cricket again this season, he was hoping to be allowed home before the weekend.

He took 25 minutes to score two runs on a slow wicket and opening partner Naylor needed 34 minutes for his eight runs, both men out with the total on 11.

Professional Mike Warden (26) and skipper John Seedle (35) took the score on to 68 before the latter was trapped leg before and ten runs later Warden joined him in the pavilion. Of the remaining batsmen only Wilkinson (14) made it into double figures and at the end of 48 overs Stand were 112 for 9, Hopkinson 5 for 45 and Arothe 4 for 29.

With opener Brierley carrying his bat for 52 runs, Royton were never really in trouble and were winners by six wickets in the 34th over.

Unsworth entertained Werneth and had their professional Champaka Ramanayake to thank for a comfortable victory.

The talented Sri Lankan top scored with 59 as the Parr Lane club put on 140 for 3 from their 29 overs in a rain-affected game.

He then decimated the visitors batting with figures of 5 for 45 from 14.1 overs with Mark Manley chipping in with 3 for 22 as they slid to 89 all out.

Not a ball was bowled when Radcliffe were due to meet Norden.

Torrential overnight rain left the Rochdale club's Woodhouse Lane ground far too saturated for Saturday's game to get the go-ahead and left 22 disappointed players kicking their heels and praying for improved weather.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.