EAST Lancashire Paper Mill captain Paul Hewart says there is a real buzz down at Croft Lane after the Radcliffe club enjoyed a perfect start to the season.

They have blitzed their opponents with bat and ball to claim bonus-point wins in their first three matches to go top of Division Four West in the Greater Manchester League.

Their latest victory came at home to Blackley on Saturday, when Hewart and opening bowler Louis Birmingham both took four wickets to bowl the visitors out for just 114.

Opener Simon Carr hit 53 from 51 balls to get their reply off to a flying start and they passed their target with seven wickets and 24 overs to spare.

“We’ve had some great performances so far right across the team,” said Hewart. “Three guys (Carr, Matthew Smalley and Matthew Partington) have more than 100 runs to their name and there have been decent contributions from Mark Robinson, Gavin Greaves and Ian Wade.

“The promising thing is the lads at seven, eight, nine and 10 can all bat and get a score, they just haven’t had the chance to show it yet.

“Bowling wise, Matt Smalley and Louis Birmingham have led the way, with nine and eight wickets, respectively, while I have six to my name. Again, our change bowlers have not really had the chance to show what they can do yet, so there is still more to come.

“So the season has started pretty promisingly and there is a real buzz around the club at the moment.”

Radcliffe, meanwhile, lost their first match of the season in Division Three, going down by 76 runs at Clifton second XI.

Check out the latest edition of the Bury Times in print for a round-up of GMCL action, plus full scorecards and tables