RADCLIFFE Cricket Club captain Chris Berry takes his side to unbeaten Ashton on Saturday looking to leapfrog the Central Lancashire League leaders at the top of the table.

Ashton, who finished in the Championship's bottom two last season, head into the game joint top and two points clear of third-placed Radcliffe, and Berry knows his side must win in order to keep in touch with the leading pack.

"Ashton are a bit of a surprise package this year and like us they've ruffled a few feathers early on," he said..

"One of my old friends Ben Johnson is back there as captain and he's got them playing well.

"They are a young side with a decent overseas player in Mario Boyce and although they've been let down with regards to a professional, I'm expecting a tough game.

"We struggled against them last season and played them in a tight Twenty/20 a few weeks ago.

"Although they are top of the league they haven't played the top sides yet and I'm confident we can beat them to close the gap at the top."

A half century from professional Raheel Majeed helped the Homer Street men claim their first win in this year's CLL Twenty20 competition on Saturday.

Opener Martyn Coates began the innings well for the home side, notching up 28 runs from 26 balls with Charlie Hamilton also contributing with 14, before Majeed hit five sixes and three fours as he batted his way to 63.

Usman Malik added 26 and Saif Ur Rehman was unbeaten on 10 as the hosts totalled 149 for the loss of six wickets.

Rehman (2-15) and Daniel Farley (2-17) were the pick of the Radcliffe bowlers as Werneth were skittled for 114 in reply.

"Raheel batted well and hit some big sixes but he was perhaps fortunate to reach the half century as he was dropped three or four times," said Berry.

"But Werneth, who have unfortunately lost a number of players this season, dropped something like 15 catches as the fielding let them down.

"Farley bowled well particularly well for us with all the bowlers keeping it pretty tight as we secured the win."

Radcliffe will replay their Wood Cup fixture against Heywood on June 21 after rain forced last Saturday's match to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.

"The ground was under water and it was not fit to play on," said Berry.

Radcliffe play their final Twenty20 match at local rivals Elton tomorrow, 6.15pm start, before the trip to Ashton on Saturday.

Radcliffe will also play Lancashire Cricket Board (LCB) Deaf Squad on Sunday. The fundraising fun day, which aims to embrace links with disabilities, takes place at the Racecourse ground from 1.30pm.