RADCLIFFE got their Central Lancashire League campaign off to a disappointing start, losing to Littleborough at home then away to Oldham on Sunday.

It was always going to be a tall order chasing the visitors target of 252 for 5 from their 50 overs.

Professional Clinton Perrin (84) and opener Nigel Hunter (81) did the damage with a second wicket stand of 163.

And the Racecoursemen will have been cursing a crucial 41 extras that pushed Littleborough's total out of reach.

Their reply got off to a bad start when Ash Gorsi was dismissed for a duck with the score on three.

That brought to the crease Radcliffe paid man Pasan Wanansinghe and the Sri Lankan hit a superb 112 but to no avail.

Only Aussie Bruce Cruse (10) and youngsters Richard Farnworth (14) and Steve Whiteley (26) made it to double figures as the home side slumped 59 runs short of the target.

At The Pollards on Sunday Oldham batted first and set a victorious target of 200 for 9 mainly thanks to a fine unbeaten 101 from McDonald.

In the reply, Radcliffe were buoyed by a third wicket stand of 69 from Wanansinghe and captain Graeme Simpson.

The skipper went for 33 and was replaced by Philip Hayes, who was to hit 39 not out, while the pro again top-scored with 60, before being bowled by McDonald.

Hayes battled on but with the paid man out of the way the Oldham attack chipped away and Radcliffe finished on 191-8.