It is a common saying in Ramsbottom by men who have seen every match our cricketers have played this season, that they would now have been top dog in the Lancashire League had their exhibition in the field done them credit. Practically in every game which did not pan out on the right side the fielding was faulty to the last degree, and it would seem a forlorn hope to expect cleaner picking up and better catching. Accrington would certainly have dropped both points on their own ground last Saturday had Ramsbottom covered themselves with a little glory in the field. No fewer than eight or nine catches were missed, and had most of the opportunities of dismissing Accrington been realised upon Ramsbottom would have been confronted with less than a hundred runs to knock off. The team has not been in its conquering stride for some little time now, but then, its a long lane that has no turning, and we are inclined to think the end of it would quickly be sighted if the players comported themselves as well in the field is they do at the wicket. Jerry Ellis severely trounced the Accrington bowling, and went back to the pavilion with an accomplished not out innings of 78. Taylor, who got such a good length here at the holiday week-end, trundled but moderately, being responsible for several very short-pitched deliveries.
Ramsbottom Observer, Ramsbottom, Lancashire, England, July 1, 1904
