Central Lancashire League: RADCLIFFE slumped to to back-to-back defeats at the weekend.

Norden left the Racecourse with four points on Saturday and Werneth capped a miserable weekend for Graeme Simpson's side when they sent them stumbling out of the Wood Cup at the first hurdle.

Norden dangerman Asif Mujtaba stroked 93 after he had laid the foundations for his team's victory in a 92-run opening partnership with Nick Brierley.

Simon North (39) and an unbeaten 47 from Stuart Fern continued the good work and ensured Radcliffe would be chasing 239 for victory.

In reply, Radcliffe got off to a solid start thanks to Cruse and Phil Heyes but soon found themselves behind the rate as Mujtaba (3-41) and Paul Carroll (2-43) applied the squeeze.

Cruse went on 50 as only Richard Farnworth passed 20 in a limp total of 161-9.

An improvement was needed for the trip to Werneth and it didn't come as the home side racked up an imposing 234-4 in their allotted overs.

Indian professional Hrishikesh Koniker smashed an unbeaten 85 after crashing Steve Cheetham's final over of the innings for 24.

However, Hayes (37) and Cruse (60) put on 98 for the first wicket to put Radcliffe back into contention.

Things stared to go wrong when Cruse was dubiously adjudged to have been caught and bowled by Koniker and Hayes soon followed.

Wanansinghe hit just six runs before he was sent back to the hut and only Simpson could offer any resistance as he blasted 24 quick runs.