TITLE chasers Middleton proved too hot to handle in the first match of the weekend but Radcliffe managed to bounce back to record an exciting last over win the following day.

And what a different story it might have been on the Saturday had Middleton professional Ravin Peiris not been in dominant mood for he scored almost half the home side's total, the opening batsmen making 109 before being stumped by John Macauley in a rain delayed match.

The Sri Lankan struck ten fours and a six in his run-a-ball-innings which featured a century partnership with Ryan who more or less allowed the paid man to get on with it.

Peiris also featured in a fifth wicket stand with Martin worth 61 runs as Middleton closed at 221 for 7 in 48 overs.

The Radcliffe response was always behind the asking rate after professional Steve Dearden made an early exit despite solid knocks from Richard Heaton (32) and Bruce Cruse (27) and they were all out for 133 in the 29th over.

It was a different story on Sunday when visitors Norden were bowled out for 154 in the 49th over, Nick Kennedy taking five wickets and Dearden four as the opposition relied heavily on a third wicket stand of 69.

With half the home side out with the total on 65 it looked odds-on a Norden win despite the efforts of Mike Ramsbottom (36) and Dearden (25), but skipper Dave Jones and wicket-keeper Macauley had other ideas.

They came together at 91 for 7 and when the latter was out for 22 it was 137 for 8 and finger nails were being shredded.

Darren Michaelson last nine deliveries and scored one run as the total went to 154 and the last pair were together as the final over started with Radcliffe needing three runs for victory.

The skipper ended the speculation as quickly as possible with three off the first delivery from Mujtaba, unbeaten on 42 and the hero of the hour.

UNSWORTH had the strength of character to haul themselves out of the pit of despair prior to a return to winning ways in the Central Lancashire League.

Bowled out for 81 by leaders Rochdale the previous week, the Parr Laners took on third-in-the-table Norden on Saturday and fared even worse with the bat, all out for 45.

But 24 hours later a century from professional Pasan Wanansinghe paved the way for a five-point comeback.

At Woodhouse Lane on Saturday the home side reached 202 for 7 off their 50 overs with paid man Asif Mujtaba leading the way with 59.

The Pakistani then turned destroyer with the ball for as only Pickup of the Unsworth batsmen reached double figures, Mujtaba ripped through with 6 for 14 off 17.4 overs to facilitate an early finish.

After 39 overs the following day, Unsworth were 119 for 6 as veteran bowler Les Whittle kept it tight but the next eleven over produced 80 runs as Wanansinghe cut loose in tandem with David Joynson (23).

The Sri Lankan was particularly severe on Whittle whose last five overs went for 56 runs as Wanansinghe reached the magical three-figure mark and Unsworth 202 for 8.

Wicket-keeper John Harrison then accounted for six Crompton batsmen behind the stumps and allowed only six byes, and this after attending his sister's wedding!

Wides and no-balls contributed 24 runs to the Crompton total but Warren's early successes with the ball ensured the visitors were always struggling.

VICTORY over Royton on Saturday was followed by defeat when Heywood were entertained the following day as Stand continue their roller coaster season in the Central Lancashire League.

In an overs-reduced match at The Paddock the Stand attack restricted the home side to 147 for 8 after Dave Foreman and Ghulam Haider had removed the the top three batsmen for an aggregate of 11 runs, and that included professional Garth Roe for a duck.

Stand suffered a shaky start but then Dave Wass (53) and professional Brad Flegg (46) took them to within touching distance of the winning line which was crossed for the loss of only four wickets.

Hopes of a rare weekend double haul of points were boosted by 42 runs from opener Najeeb Wahid at Hamilton Road but he lacked support as Heywood's paid man Bruce Hara took 5 for 72 which took the heart out of Stand's line-up.

A total of 150 for 9 seemed beyond the visitors when Stand's attack removed the top three in the order but Mark Wright restored the impetus with a half century and Heywood took four points in the 49 over with three wickets in hand.