ANOTHER excellent performance by Radcliffe saw them close the gap on champions and current leaders Middleton.

The Racecourse men claimed maximum points against derby rivals Stand after cracking a total of 210-6 themselves before dismissing the visitors for just 142.

Stand won the toss and put Radcliffe in to bat and they got off to a bad start when Heaton was run out for five. He was followed shortly afterwards by Keegan, who walked for just 15, and Radcliffe were tottering on 26 for two.

Skipper Graeme Simpson and cup hero David Jones came to the rescue and Radcliffe pushed the score along before Simpson was caught for 20, ending a good partnership of 51.

At 77 for three things still didn't look too good for Radcliffe, but professional Steve Dearden helped pull things round, reaching 50 in 41 deliveries. Dave Jones also reached his 50 shortly afterwards. His included four fours and a big six.

Dearden was caught on 74, ending a partnership of 124 and the total was now a far healthier 201-4. However, another quick wicket saw Kennedy caught for three and with only a few overs to spare just four more runs were added with Jones run out on the last ball for 65, equalling his highest score of the season.

After tea Stand were soon in troubleas opener Dave Airey edged the ball to Kennedy off the bowling of Dearden.

Stand professional Brad Flegg was joined by Close who scored five before he was caught behind by John Macauley with the score on 51.

Flegg was soon to follow, again caught by Macauley, after he had hit 40, but things were beginning to look bleak for Stand.

They failed to capitalise on the game and the last gasp slogs from the tailend batsmen wasn't enough to secure them a batting point.

Middleton's defeat puts Radcliffe just four points behind them at the top of the table.

UNSWORTH fell way short of what was required when they went down to a 109-run defeat against Littleborough.

Littleborough were first to bat and they made good use of the wicket as they posted a total of 227 for six.

The innings was declared after 49 overs, offering Unsworth the chance of five points, but they were never in with a shout.

Wanansinghe had a hand in five wickets, taking four with bowling at a cost of 88 runs, and catching Pedrola to give Saeed a wicket.

Unsworth may have had some hope of containing the remaining batsmen when they had Littleborough at 133 for four, but Mark Hernon and Garth Hunter pushed the score along with the help of late knock from Steve Leach.

Unsworth lost Saeed, probably their best amateur batsman, with only 11 on the board, but Webb and Harrison then took the score to 51 before Harrison was rapped on the pads by Deakin.

It then became a procession. Pedrola finished with six for 29 off his 19 overs and Rodgerson took two for 12 as Unsworth crashed to 118 all out.