ALL-ROUND excellence from Radcliffe professional Pasan Wanansinghe helped the Racecourse side collect maximum points from their weekend double-header.

A century and seven-wicket haul from the pro consigned Werneth to defeat on Saturday and local rivals Unsworth were met with another seven-for the following day.

However, skipper Graeme Simpson believes the whole team played their part: "Pasan played wonderful in both games but the overall team performance was much better.

"We batted and bowled in partnerships and our fielding has improved dramatically. I couldn't ask more from the lads than ten points from the two games."

Ironically, the weekend got off to the worst possible start for the Racecourse side when influential batsman Bruce Cruse was dismissed from the first ball of the day by Stuart Moore.

But, fellow opening batsman Phil Hayes and paid-man Wanansinghe were not to be perturbed and put on 124 for the next wicket in a crucial partnership.

Eighteen-year-old Hayes departed after notching his first half-century of the season but Simpson (27*) carried on the good work as Wanansinghe reached 101 to carry his bat in a final total of 207-2 from a rain reduced forty overs.

In reply, young speed tyro Stephen Cheetham sent opener John Salter back to the hut with just 20 on the board before Wanansinghe took over.

The Sri-Lankan seamer ripped out the heart of the home side's batting on his way to match-winning figures of 7-40 and he was ably supported by Paul Halliwell (1-30).

Werneth professional Hrishikesh Kanitkar (44) and Moore (45) edged their side towards the victory total but Wanansinghe confirmed his man-of-the-match accolade by removing both men.

Radcliffe entertained local rivals Unsworth the following day and put on 73 for the opening wicket batting first.

However, Cruse (27) and Hayes (37) departed in quick succession and it was left to a series of small but priceless partnerships to see the home side to a challenging 168-8.

Wanasinghe (21) and Stuart Kelly (30*) were the only other Radcliffe batsman to pass double figures on a slow wicket.

In-form Unsworth were soon in trouble when opener John Hean was superbly caught behind by Richard Farnworth off the quick bowling of Toby McLean.

Paul Manley quickly followed without a run being added when he was bowled by Wanasinghe but professional Robbie McQueen and Jon Wiggans milked the Radcliffe bowling without ever really breaking the shackles imposed upon them to anchor the innings.

However, the run-rate became increasingly prominent in the minds of the Unsworth batsmen and they collapsed to 128 all out trying to raise the tempo.

Wanansinghe inflicted the major damage with 7-44 but all the bowlers bowled in partnerships, a fact not lost on Simpson: "Toby (McLean), Stephen (Cheetham) and Phil Hayes all backed up Pasan fantastically.

"It was the best I've ever seen Pasan bowl and his figures reflected this. He bowled 23 overs unchanged on a very warm day."

However, Simpson isn't going to let his troops get carried away with their success: "We have to make sure we don't become too complacent.

"We know how to win now and we played as a team at the weekend but we can always improve.

"There was more involvement in the field and Richard Farnworth was brilliant behind the stumps on Sunday. He took an excellent catch in addition to being very vocal and that's what we need from him."

Simpson reserved special praise for teenage talent Hayes: "Phil has been a revelation for us and a major plus at the top of the order."

Radcliffe entertain Middleton in their sole fixture at the weekend.