RAMSBOTTOM A continued their march towards the Bury and District League Division One crown with an imperious 9-1 victory at Seedfield A on Monday evening.

They stretched their lead at the top of the table to 12 points, ahead of Radcliffe Cricket Club who have played a game less.

But no-one is betting against the experienced Ramsbottom outfit who have won the Division One title every year since 1992.

Their win on Monday night came courtesy of trebles from the stylish five-times Bury men’s singles champion Graham Hoy, Mark Ramsbottom and a double from Graham Young. The visitors also won the doubles.

According to Young the success of the club is evidence of Ramsbottom’s status as a town of sporting excellence.

With the Ramsbottom United riding high in the Evo-Stik Division One North and Ramsbottom Cricket Club, where the table tennis team play their home matches, doing well in the Lancashire League, there is a feelgood factor coursing through the community.

“The town is buzzing at the moment,” said Young,. “We’ve been doing well for a number of years because we have the best players – it’s as simple as that.”

Young also pointed to the influence of former British champion and Olympian Andrea Holt and her father Wilton as having a lasting legacy for the Ramsbottom club.

“As well as playing we do a lot of coaching and the table tennis academy is thriving.

“We are an experienced team, and it is a game of speed and spin, but as we get older, we are finding it more of a game of spin.”