RADCLIFFE wound up another Central Lancashire League season with double victories to secure second place for the second year in succession.

The Racecourse side made hard work of it on Saturday as they beat Werneth by two wickets before hammering Milnrow the following day.

But skipper Graeme Simpson is slightly disappointed his charges couldn't take Rochdale's crown: "We have got to be pleased with second place but we could quite easily have won the league.

"We dropped some vital points when we shouldn't have and I was upset at the time-wasting tactics at Milnrow that may have cost us some points.

"With these points on the board, we would have won the title," he added.

Young batsman Ashvaq Gorsi was one of the heroes once again as he saw his side towards their victory target with class and composure.

Werneth had been skittled out for just 97 as opening bowlers Eddie Shah (5-44) and Pasan Wanasinghe (5-43) hit the straps early on.

Only a late flurry from number eleven Richard Mills (21) edged the home target towards the psychological 100 mark.

Werneth professional Sajith Fernando removed opener Bruce Cruse and Steve Parry for lowly scores before Gorsi (22) combined with Nick Kennedy (38) to guide his side towards the vital victory.

Further jitters followed before Phil Hayes and Shah held their nerve to scamper the winning runs.

On Sunday, Milnrow were indebted to professional Kabir for his battling 60 as they set Radcliffe a challenging target of 183. Shah, Nick Kennedy and Stuart Kelley took two wickets each but the visiting side's last pair denied their opponents the bonus point.

The Radcliffe batsmen flayed the Milnrow attack to all corners of the Racecourse as Bruce Cruse carried his bat for a superb 93.

Cruse partnered Gorsi to his maiden first-team fifty and it was left to Simpson to see his side home.

Simpson was once again delighted with Gorsi: "Ashfaq gets better with every game and his confidence is growing. Confidence breeds confidence and that breeds success. Hopefully, Ashvaq will continue in the same vein next season."

Professional Wanasinghe has been retained for next season after impressing with bat and ball but Simpson doesn't know if there will be any new faces.

"We will see over the winter months whether anybody new comes in."

Meanwhile, the second team won both their games at the weekend with impressive displays in both.

Werneth were skittled out for 110 on Saturday as Steve Cheetham enhanced his growing reputation with figures of 4-20.

Gavin Greaves (29) and Cheetham (26*) then steered their side home with four wickets to spare.

A five-wicket haul for Mark Sajewicz and three more wickets from Cheetham helped have Milnrow back in the hut for 61 the following day.

The visitors suffered a little wobble but Stuart Hart (25*) and Hayes (13*) ensured Radcliffe finished the season in style.

The future looks bright.