IT'S a big weekend for Radcliffe Cricket Club as they bid to knock Werneth off top spot in the Central Lancashire League.

And it's an ideal time to go for it too as Werneth are without a game on Sunday when Radcliffe entertain close rivals Rochdale at the Racecourse.

Saturday sees Graeme Simpson and his men making the short trip to Oldham, but it's Sunday that should see the fans flocking up Unsworth Street for what should be a cracking contest between the teams currently placed second and third in the table.

Radcliffe limbered up for this big weekend with a comfortable victory at local rivals Stand last Saturday.

Pace bowler Eddie Shah was back in the groove after a barren couple of weeks, taking five for 33 as Stand were skittled out for just 92 runs.

Professional Pasan Wanansinghe chipped in with a couple of wickets as did Nick Kennedy, who had a nice little return of two for nought from his 1.1 overs bowled -- and the complete over was a maiden to boot!

Wanansinghe was pleased with his top score of 34 not out as Radcliffe reached their not too taxing target for the loss of just one wicket off 21.5 overs.

"It was a comfortable win, thankfully, in that heat," said skipper Simpson. "Now we are going into a very important weekend and, hopefully, we can go back on top.

STAND v RADCLIFFE

STAND

M. Hegg c Macauley b Shah...4

D. Wright lbw Shah...2

D. Baldwin run out...15

A. Bierne b Shah...9

D. Wass b Wanansinghe...0

I. McLellan c Macauley b Wanasinghe...4

D. Taylor c Parry b Kennedy...17

P. Wilkinson b Shah...0

C. Sutcliffe c Simpson b Shah...0

P. Sherlock b Kennedy...23

P. Durden not out...0

Extras...18

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Total 92

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29.1 overs

S. Shah 15-4-33-5; J. McLean 5-0-19-0; P. Wanasinghe 8-1-33-2; N. Kennedy 1.1-1-0-2.

RADCLIFFE

G. Simpson c McLellan b Hegg...23

S. Parry not out...15

P. Wanasainghe not out...34

Extras...23

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Total (for 1) 95

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21.5 overs

M. Hegg 7-1-27-1; P. Sherlock 5-2-16-0; C. Sutcliffe 5.5-0-27-0; P. Durden 4-0-12-0.