A COMFORTABLE six-wicket victory against Ashton in their final game of the season was not enough to secure Radcliffe Cricket Club second place in the Championship.

Despite the Homer Street men defeating Middleton twice in the league this season they have won more games outright and clinched the runners-up spot in the Central Lancashire League with a win against champions Crompton.

"It's a bit of a sickener but we finished the season well," said skipper Chris Berry, who's Radcliffe side won 12 and lost eight of their league games.

"Six of those losses should have been wins but overall we can be pleased with how we performed," he said.

"With the under-15s winning their league, the junior set up at the club is looking good and that will only bolster the second team and bodes well for the future of the club."

Professional Raheel Majeed has re-signed for the 2016 season and although Usman Malik is returning to Pakistan, Berry is hoping he can keep the nucleus of the team together in Division One of the Greater Manchester Cricket League next season.

"To be in the second tier is a good thing for us realistically with the four up and four down system."

Jimmy Dixon and Saif Ur-Rehman ripped through the Ashton batting line-up, taking five wickets each, as a depleted Radcliffe finished their season with a comfortable six-wicket victory.

Playing with only 10 men, Dixon took 5-33, including five maidens, from his 12 overs and Ur-Rehman 5-22 off 11.4 overs as Radcliffe skittled the hosts for just 64.

Overseas Mario Boyce (22) and captain Bradley Woolley (15) were the only notable scorers for Ashton.

Radcliffe's reply got off to the worst possible start with the cheap dismissals of openers Martyn Coates (eight) and Luke Entwistle for a duck.

But Usman Malik and Majeed, who passed 1,000 club runs, led the recovery hitting 17 and 25 respectively.

Berry also contributed with an unbeaten 10 as Radcliffe knocked off the target with plenty to spare.

Sub professional Cosmand Walters took 2-29.