RADCLIFFE Cricket Club captain Chris Berry is expecting his table-topping Championship team to endure their first real test of the season when they travel to Milnrow on Sunday.

The in-form Hamer Street men have secured back-to-back wins in their opening games against Oldham and newly-promoted Heyside in recent weeks, but were left frustrated last weekend when their Central Lancashire League match at Werneth was abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled.

"Only one game played in our league on Saturday so everyone gets the two points," said Berry.

"It is a bit frustrating because we are on a good run so we feel it's three points dropped."

Berry is hoping the weather will be kinder this weekend when his Radcliffe side, who are joint top of the league with 12 points from three games, look to get more points on the board in a double header of fixtures against joint-bottom Oldham at home on Saturday before what he believes is a crunch match with Milnrow.

"I don't expect anything less than a win against Oldham," he said.

"They are competing more this season but if we can get rid of their top-order batsmen early I think we will claim the five points.

"However, the game against Milnrow is a tough prospect.

"I expect them to be up there challenging for promotion.

"They are a good side with a decent professional and overseas player. Their evergreen captain, Max Powers, always scores runs against us so it will be a big test.

"Once that game is played we will know where our team is at and how we stand in terms of our league potential."

With Pakistan professional Raheel Majeed showing his pedigree with both bat and ball, and leg spinner Anwar Ul-haq taking six wickets last time out, Berry believes he now has a side capable of challenging for top honours this season.

"It's early days and we have to play everyone at least once to see where we are, but I believe we have the team capable of gaining promotion or even winning the title this year," he said.