PRESTWICH captain Andy Bradley has urged any cricket lovers in the area without a club to give Radcliffe a helping hand.

Bradley made the appeal after his side claimed a comfortable eight-wicket win against Radcliffe on Sunday to knock them out of the Greater Manchester League's First XI Cup.

The Racecourse men also lost in the league last weekend and remain bottom of Division Two, still in search of their first win of the season.

"You could see that Radcliffe are fighting and battled hard for every run against us," said Bradley.

"But they are sorely lacking in numbers.

"Their captain told me they only had eight senior players to choose from on Sunday and were making up the rest of their teams with juniors.

"It is a real shame to see such a proud old club struggling like that.

"Radcliffe has had some fantastic players over the years - Sir Garfield Sobers no less - and I would urge any cricket lovers in the area who maybe aren't playing at the moment to get down there and give them a hand."

Radcliffe captain Martyn Coates, who took over the skipper's role this season, welcomed the intervention by his opposite number and reiterated Bradley's appeal.

"All help would be gratefully received," he added.

"We are in the middle of rebuilding the club and have paired back our squad a lot in the short term.

"We disbanded the second team and chose not to employ a pro.

"The plan is to build that back up and reintroduce the second team next year, so we do need more players."

Without a paid pro to call upon, Coates is looking for members of his young squad to step up this season and the plug the gap.

That lack of a match-winner was evident in Saturday's defeat against Brooksbottom, whose Australian pro Luke Benaquista proved to be the difference between the two teams.

He took 4-46 as Radcliffe were bowled out for 171 then hit 56 after opening the batting. Zeb Qureshi played an important supporting role for Brox, taking 4-56 and hitting an unbeaten 48 after coming in at number seven to guide them past Radcliffe's total with three wickets to spare.

"Saturday was the closest we have come to a win this season but in the end that extra little bit of quality made the difference for Brox," added Coates.

"We will have to compensate for that lack of a pro somehow, and I believe we can do that with the fighting spirit in the camp.

"Most of the lads here have grown up together and come through the junior ranks.

"There is nothing wrong with the spirit in the side, what we have to do is apply ourselves a bit more with the bat and see out our overs.

"We have been missing players as well, but they have slowly been coming back. (Bowler) Paul Smith is back for us this weekend, which will boost our attack further, so I am confident that first win is around the corner."

Radcliffe are at home to third-placed Denton on Saturday, and host ELPM in their inaugural GMCL20 match on Sunday, starting at 2pm.