FRANCOIS du Plessis scorched into the Lancashire League and straight to the top of the table as he debuted with distinction for Ramsbottom in their derby win at Haslingden on a searing hot Saturday.

The South African former Lancashire star finally got the all-clear after weeks of work permit issues and wasted no time in getting down to business and made 83 in the big game at Bent Gate.

That came after Keith Webb (41) and Jamie Pilling (30) had shared a 70-run opening stand and with an unbeaten 68 from David Bell, Rammy posted a daunting 268-4 from their 50 overs.

But du Plessis suffered a hip injury while batting and will undergo checks today.

Haslingden lost Graham Knowles, Phil Hayes and Chris Read cheaply leaving all the pressure on Steve Dearden.

He made 65 but was short on support with only young Jack Taylor offering any real resistance with his unbeaten 32 as Haslingden were restricted to 191-9 with Jon Fielding claiming three more wickets.

Ramsbottom innings

KT Webb b Dearden 41
J Pilling c Hayes b Read 30
du Plessis c Imtiaz b Sudworth 83
DM Bell not out 69
AW Bell b Dearden 7
JM Fielding not out 23
Extras 15
Total (4 wickets) 268
Dearden 18 1 109 2, Neary 6 1 23 0, Read 17 3 65 1, Knowles 4 0 24 0, Sudworth 5 0 41 1.

Haslingden innings

Hayes c Holt b Haslam 13
GA Knowles lbw b Fielding 9
SE Dearden b Haslam 65
CP Read c Caunce b Walmsley 6
LG Ingham c DM Bell b Fielding 26
A Coleman run out 5
M Imtiaz lbw b Haslam 5
J Taylor not out 32
JJ Marcroft b Fielding 16
J Neary lbw b Fielding 0
J Sudworth not out 0
Extras 14
Total (9 wickets) 191
Haslam 15 4 54 3, Fielding 25 4 88 4, Walmsley 10 1 42 1.

Ramsbottom won by 77 runs. Haslingden 0, Ramsbottom 10.