RADCLIFFE face what could be a pivotal weekend in their debut Greater Manchester League campaign as they face a double-header against fellow Division Two strugglers South West Manchester and Wythenshawe.

The Racecourse men, who are second bottom with just three points and no wins from their first seven league games of the season, entertain basement club South West Manchester on Saturday before travelling to fourth-bottom Wythenshawe the following day.

Captain Martyn Coates has made it clear to his players that they must improve their performance levels if they are to turn their campaign around as they bid to make up the 12-point gap to safety.

"We need to make sure we turn up this weekend," said the opener.

"It is a good opportunity to try to get two wins on the board and try to push on from there."

Radcliffe were spared a potentially damaging defeat last weekend after their match at unbeaten league leaders Flowery Field was rained off.

The two points for an abandoned game moved them to five for the season.

"Two points is two points and we are not going to complain, although you always want to play and win them the right way," added Coates.

"We know what we have to do to start earning points.

"Our lads need to start applying themselves, especially with the bat and in the field.

"We need to bat out a full 50 overs, then make sure we back up our bowlers, who have done a pretty decent job so far.

"Our batting clearly has not been up to scratch, while some of our fielding simply not been good enough.

"It is about putting a total on the board, then keeping our concentration for a full match and I am sure the results will come.

"But the lads know that it is now or never. If we lose then we could be cut adrift.

"That's not the way we are looking at it though. The weather forecast is good, so we see this as the chance to get some points on the board."

Before the serious business of the league on Saturday and Sunday, the Radcliffe Racers have a final outing in the GMCL20 tomorrow when they visit Premier Division side Unsworth Draggons.

After two defeats from three games, Coates' men can not qualify for the knockout stages, but the captain believes it could be a format his side can be successful in in the future.

"I actually think the lads are suited to the 20-over competition," he said.

"We got our only win of the season against East Lancs Millers and were close to making it two against Elton.

"We had Elton reeling but just fell away with the ball, which has been our best department in the league so far.

"So I think there is plenty to build on for the future, but at this moment it is just an enjoyable distraction from the serious business of the league."