ELPM are gearing up for a triple header this weekend with three games in three days.

The Radcliffe side suffered their third defeat in their opening four league games of the season on Saturday and are fourth bottom of the Greater Manchester League Division Two A.

With the three teams below them, and the one above, all level on five points, Paul Hewart’s side are in need of an improvement in results if they are not to become involved in a relegation fight.

It promises to be tough on Saturday when they host a Littleborough Lakeside team who have won three and lost one this season and sit second.

Before that there is a derby clash at Radcliffe tomorrow night when the battle for town bragging rights will take place at the Racecourse between Radcliffe’s only two cricket clubs.

The T20 game kicks off a busy weekend which ends with the visit of Edenfield for a cup game.

Hewart wants to see his players protect their wickets better than they have so far this season.

“We need to learn to bat time and overs,” he said after Saturday’s 25-run defeat at Elton Vale who had set them a target of 158.

“If we can do that we will start winning more of these tight games.

“We weren’t helped by one or two dodgy decisions and a very poor cricket wicket.”

ELPM’s best performers were Matthew Smalley with 4-46, Gavin Greaves opening the innings showing a bit of grit with a solid 27 as other wickets tumbled around him, Matty Parington with 57 not out and Danny McCaffrey with 21 at no 11, the latter two putting on 56 for the last wicket.