RADCLIFFE Cricket Club opened their campaign in Division Two of the new Greater Manchester League with a close-run two-wicket defeat at home to Droylsden.

Opener Charlie Hamilton put in a solid knock of 40 to anchor their innings of 172-5 from 42 overs, while Adam Sajewicz weighed in with 38 lower down the order in difficult conditions.

Despite missing three of their front-line seam bowlers – Jimmy Dixon, Faisal Ali and Paul Smith – the Racecourse men had the visitors wobbling as Sajewicz capped a fine personal performance with 3-33 from his 12 overs and Usman Malik took 2-22 from 11.

But Droylsden squeaked home with 13 balls to spare.

"It was an enjoyable game to be involved in as the match swung both ways," said cricket chairman Chris Berry.

"With a full-strength attack I am sure we could have claimed victory.

"The wicket was drying out during their innings and one or two balls were starting to pop up and make it difficult for the Droylsden batsman.

"But we had to come off for a hail storm, something I've never experienced before in a cricket match, and that greased the top surface and made it a little easier to bat on after that."

Radcliffe now hit the road for two away matches, with a trip to Thornham up next on Saturday.

Ali and Smith are due to return and Berry is confident his side have what it takes to be competitive at this level.

"I expect us to be challenging for honours by the end of the season, but whatever happens my main hope is that the players enjoy it and we avoid relegation.

"There are plenty of positive signs off the field, with the ground getting a new sponsor – Platinum Care.

"We also have a new shirt sponsor, Shabaz Curry Cottage, matchball sponsor, Redbank Cider, and scoreboard sponsor, JC Recruitment.

"These are all local companies and it's great to see them getting involved."