RADCLIFFE Cricket Club captain Gary Garner is on a mission to turn around the Racecourse side's fortunes.

Refreshed from a free weekend, Radcliffe have a home double-header which begins with the Inter League Challenge Trophy quarter-final clash with Heywood on Saturday.

"I really can't understand why we are second from bottom in the league, we have far more ability than that," he said

"Our problem has been chasing totals, because we seem to struggle if one or two people fail with the bat.

"We have been trying one or two things in the nets but, to be honest, the lads play wonderful in the nets every week and then fail to deliver when it matters in the middle.

"I don't know if its nerves, pressure or inexperience because the young lads are all very talented and we have the squad to challenge for a place in the top half of the table.

"I'm convinced we will be a very good team if we stick together for the next few years, but its all about squeezing out a few runs now."

Looking ahead to the cup crunch, the paid man said: "We have been up for the cup games all season, so I expect us to get a win.

"I think we have the beating of Heywood and its just a case of getting it right."

On Sunday, the league's bottom club, Middleton, journey to Radcliffe full of confidence after knocking Garner's men out of the Wood Cup just a fortnight ago.

"I thought we were unlucky in that game because we dropped a few catches that would have won us the game," he said.

"Their pro then got a ton and it was all over, but I would back us to beat Middleton any day of the week. Man for man we are stronger in every department," he said.

l With no Radcliffe fixtures at the weekend, the Racecourse ground played host to Lancashire Ladies on Sunday as the Red Rose girls comfortably beat their Kent counterparts.

England international Laura Newton was the star of the show as she smashed an unbeaten 162 in Lancashire's total of 262-3 from 50 overs.

Kent were never in the hunt and stumbled to 144-9, with Radcliffe's Katherine Hayes impressing with the ball.

l The Racecourse also played host to an under-11's festival, in which Clifton came out on top, beating Bolton in the final.

The eight teams competing were: Radcliffe, Unsworth, Bolton, Horwich, Milnrow, Clifton, Astley Bridge and Swinton Moorside.

l Weekly Draw: No 84, Peter Heath. Bonus Ball 31 Billy Maddock.