RADCLIFFE captain Chris Berry praised his lower order batsmen as the Homer Street men returned to winning ways.

The one-time league leaders rediscovered some of their early season form to climb back up to third place in the Championship following the 114-run win over Ashton on Saturday.

There were impressive performances from youngster Jake Wilde and 15-year-old Luke Entwistle, but the star of the show was number six bat Saif Ur Rehman.

The all-rounder top-scored with 39 before dismantling the Ashton reply with a six-wicket haul as Radcliffe claimed only their second win in eight games at the Racecourse, much to the relief of skipper Berry.

"We made hard work of it at first," he said.

"All the top order failed and at 50-odd for five we were struggling.

"But the lower order of Jake and Saif put on a good partnership to bring us back into it.

"In the end it was a good all-round team performance from the lower order."

Openers Usman Malik and Rizwan Javed fell for nine and five respectively as Radcliffe struggled with the bat from the off.

Professional Raheel Majeed steadied the home side's innings with 26 but when Berry went for a duck and Martyn Coates was also dismissed cheaply, the home side looked to be in trouble.

However, the lower order batsmen stepped up to take control.

Ur Rehman top-scored with 39 and was well supported by Wilde who hit 34.

Jimmy Dixon (28 not out) and Entwistle (13) helped the Radcliffe Road men reach a convincing total of 182.

Jamil Khalil and captain Ben Johnson were Ashton's best bowlers taking 3-26 and 3-46 respectively.

Ur Rehman ripped through the visitors' batting line up taking 6-17 off just 15 runs, including eight maidens, as Ashton were skittled for just 68 in reply.

"We knew they didn't have much in the batting stakes so when we got ourselves to 182, we knew it would virtually give us the win," said Berry.

"The pro and Saif bowled well and they picked up the wickets. The youngsters also did well.

"It was good to get back to winning ways. We are back up to third now and back where we need to be."

An almost full strength Radcliffe will travel to the Central Lancashire League's basement club Oldham on Saturday.

The Homer Street men, who are 11 points adrift of second place, have a good record against them this season - a five-wicket away victory on the opening day of the season and comprehensive six-wicket win at home in May - and Berry is looking to make it a hat-trick of successes.

"Connor Gately is back in contention this weekend and I'm expecting a decent team performance," he said.

"We should be beating teams like Oldham and that's what we'll be looking to do."