“Ramsbottom Women’s XI Break Barriers in Men’s Lancashire League Cricket”

**Ramsbottom Women’s XI Makes a Splash in Men's Lancashire League Cricket** Teenage captain Maeve Jones shares how the talented junior squad has “surprised a lot of teams” on their journey to achieving four victories. On a chilly Saturday in late April, the Ramsbottom community gathered in large numbers at Acre Bottom to celebrate a historic milestone. After an unbeaten run in 2023, where the women’s first XI clinched the league title for the second consecutive year and secured the T20 trophy, the club made the groundbreaking decision to enter them into the Lancashire League. This move placed them in the third XI section, where they would compete against teams primarily made up of men. Iain Collier, the head coach for Ramsbottom’s women’s and girls’ teams, expressed his enthusiasm for the decision back in January, stating, “It’s the right thing for this group at the right time. We’re still going to participate in women’s competitions, but this presents a fantastic opportunity to do both.” The Ramsbottom women’s team is ready to take on this new challenge, showcasing their skills and determination in a competitive environment.