HAVING become a team that struggled to run down a target, Radcliffe are starting to enjoy the thrill of the chase.

Saturday saw the Homer Street side record their fourth straight win – all having fielded first – to keep the pressure on Greater Manchester Cricket League Division Three leaders Elton Vale.

And captain Michael Farley says, slowly but surely, they are changing Radcliffe’s reputation as bad chasers.

“That monkey has been on our back for years,” he said. “We have historically been bad when we’ve been batting second and asked to chase down a total, but it’s all about our mindset.

“It’s something we knew we needed to do this year and we’re resetting that.

“We have probably chased more than we have for years this season, though it helps when our bowlers are restricting our opposition’s scoring.”

The Radcliffe attack was again led by Jimmy Dixon, whose 5-28 from 14 overs helped limit Astley and Tyldesley second XI to 134, as well as taking his personal tally to 56 for the year.

And while Chris Barlow and Paul Smith accounted for the other five to fall, Daniel Farley was hugely economical, and saved his wicket-taking for the following day’s third-team match, in which he claimed a hat-trick.

“Our all-round bowling attack is making it easy for us, though the pitch offered a bit to their bowlers when we batted so it was a struggle to reply,” said Michael Farley, whose side face Dukinfield seconds – and free-scoring batsman Simon Collins – this weekend.

“Fortunately Charlie Hamilton anchored the innings. We haven’t scored that many runs this season. Even though we’re second, our 1,964 is the lowest in our division, we haven’t had to score that many because of our bowling, we’ve bowled teams out for 80 or less five times.

“We know we have the ability to reach our target, which is to finish top of the table.

“The promotion picture is looking rosy but I won’t be happy with anything but first place this season.”

n East Lancs Paper Mill put a stodgy start behind them as they enjoyed a 61-run win against Division Four West leaders Roe Green second XI.

The Millers struggled to 29-5 but Louis Birmingham (67) and Stephen Keyworth (31) were instrumental in reaching 146.

Paul Hewart then took 4-25 and Mathew Smalley 4-29 as Roe Green were dismissed for 85.