RADCLIFFE'S surge up the Central Lancashire League table continued on Sunday as super performances from Eddie Shah and Pasan Wanansinghe dismantled in-form Werneth by nine wickets.

The Racecourse side ruthlessly exposed their opponents to send the clearest signal yet to the league's elite that Radcliffe are aiming for the title.

Eddie Shah tore through the Werneth attack with such devastating effect to record his second successive seven-wicket haul. However, he was more economical this week! His figures of 7-21 came at a lower price than against Stand when he got 7-28!

Shah surely inspired his team-mates as professional Wanansinghe then strode out to hammer the Werneth attack as he led his side to victory. The talented Sri-Lankan only took 40 balls to record his unbeaten 67.

Werneth managed a meagre total of 92 and were indebted to Perris, who dug in to score 30 precious runs to save his side massive embarrassment. Only Ainsworth managed to get into double figures alongside Perris before both fell victim to the impressive Shah.

Wanansinghe and McLean shared the other three wickets as the Radcliffe bowlers ensured their batsmen wouldn't have to break into too much of a sweat in the glorious sunshine.

In fact, they were home and dry in time for Sunday dinner after the stuffing they handed to the Werneth bowling attack.

The home side knocked off the runs in under 18 overs following a flurry of boundaries from Wanansinghe and his partner Simon Parry.

However, the second team weren't as successful as they crumbled to a resounding defeat. Chris Owens (3-68) and 16 year-old Stuart Hart (2-29) toiled away for Radcliffe but they were powerless to stop a strong Werneth side piling up an imposing 278-6 in their allotted 50 overs.

A last-wicket stand of 46 between Hart and Steve Cheetham saved Radcliffe's blushes as they were dismissed for a paltry 98.

Only Paul Halliwell (16) joined the youngsters in making double figures.

The third team fared much better as a relatively young side dismissed Unsworth for 173 after racking up 207-6 in a 40-over game.

Young opener Liam Franklin (40) set the pace before 15 year-old Simon Curtis impressed with a mature innings of 75.

Unsworth were always behind the run rate and two wickets apiece from John Fairclough, young bowling talent Umar Khan and captain Ian Hayes completed the victory.

RADCLIFFE v WERNETH

Werneth

A Durose b McLean ... 8

D Ainsworth b Shah ... 10

S Fernando b McLean ... 8

D Errock b Wanansinghe ... 8

S Perris lbw Shah ... 30

D Lees b Shah ... 9

Dronsfield c Cruse b Shah ... 0

I Dronsfield lbw Shah ... 2

P Gill b Shah ... 0

J Clegg lbw Shah ... 0

N Sock not out ... 1

Extras ... 16

Total ... 92 (31.1 overs)

McLean 5-0-37-2; Shah 15.1-8-21-7; P Wanansinghe 11-3-29-1.

Radcliffe

N Kennedy c Gill b Perris ... 6

P Wanansinghe not out ... 67

S Parry not out ... 18

Extras ... 5

Total ... 96 for 1 (17.5 overs)

S Perris 7-3-27-1; D Lees 4-0-27-0; S Fernando 5-0-20-0; N Stock 1.5-0-19-0.