RADCLIFFE battered bottom of the table Stand into submission on Saturday as they wrapped up a nine-wicket victory to stay hot on the heels of the leaders in the Central Lancashire League, writes Marc Higginson.

Eddie Shah was the hero with the ball as he ripped through Stand's brittle defences to record match-winning figures of 7-28; after Stand had won the toss and elected to bat on a glorious surface.

If it wasn't for some small resistance from Alex Beirne and Dave Foreman, who put on 27 for the last wicket, Stand could have been left totally red-faced.

Panan Wanansinghe continued his rich vein of form with the ball when he collected 2-30 while Nick Kennedy's one wicket came at no cost.

However, it was left to Sri-Lankan pro Wanansinghe to see the home side towards their total safely as his 42 ensured the Racecourse side suffered no embarrassment - as can so easily happen when chasing small targets.

This Sunday, Radcliffe entertain Werneth at the Racecourse in a crunch game.

Werneth are currently just two points ahead of Radcliffe in third place and another victory would massively boost the Racecourse side; who currently lie nine points behind leaders Rochdale.

Meanwhile, the future is looking bright for Radcliffe as their highly successful conveyor belt of young talent has stepped up a gear.

The Second Team is now packed with youngsters who have progressed through the junior ranks and some are still turning out for the under-15's side.

Four, in particular, are making great strides. Phil Heyes (17), Dean Bowman (15), Stephen Cheetham (15) and Richard Farnworth (17).

The talented quartet all split their studies with playing cricket, with Phil and Stephen even progressing through to represent their respective age groups for Lancashire CCC.

Last year, Phil finished seventh in the second eleven league's batting averages with 378 runs at an average of 34.36; scoring three fifties along the way.

To prove his prowess as an all-rounder, Phil took 7-45 against a strong Rochdale team.

Meanwhile, Richard and Dean have become a regular opening partnership for the successful second team after they compiled an impressive 167 against Unsworth just last week; both players getting out in their eighties. The runs have continued to flow for both lads.

Five-wicket hauls for Stephen and Phil have kept up the good work of the batsmen and Richard was the most successful wicket-keeper in the second eleven league last year; when he collected 26 victims.

They are proving that age is no barrier and are hoping to follow players such as Ashvak Gorsi (18) into the first team.

Central Lancs League

RADCLIFFE V STAND

STAND

C Moorhead c MacAuley b Shah ... 3

G Penchion b Shah ... 3

M Hegg c MacAuley b Shah ... 0

D Taylor b Shah ... 3

D Wright lbw Wanansinghe ...0

D Wass c Keegan b Shah ... 13

G Boad b Shah ... 4

P Wilkinson c Cruse b Shah ... 0

A Bierne not out ... 20

O Bierne b Wanansinghe ... 1

D Foreman c Cruse b Kennedy ... 13

Extras ... 10

Total ... 70

J McLean 5-0-9-0; S Shah 14-6-28-7; P Wanansinghe 9-3-30-2; N Kennedy 0.4-0-0-1.

RADCLIFFE

P Wanansinghe not out 42

S Parry c Penchion b O. Bierne ... 18

A Gorsi not out ... 3

Extras ... 8

Total 71 (for 1)

M Hegg 8-3-19-0; O. Beirne 4-0-30-1; D Foreman 6-3-19-0.