IN a cup battle featuring the Central Lancashire League's bottom two, the Racecoursemen were well and truly 'pro-ed' at Towncroft Avenue on Sunday, as the Moonrakers' Sajith Fernando destroyed them with both bat and ball to book basement side Middleton a place in the Wood Cup semi-finals.

The professional's undefeated knock of 106, followed by 4-38 with the ball was more than enough to scupper Radcliffe's hopes of making it into the last eight of the CLL's knock out competition, having already booked a place in the quarter-final of the Inter-League Club Challenge Trophy, where they will entertain last season's beaten finalists, Heywood, on Saturday, June 18.

The Sri Lankan entered the frey with his side on 79-2 and steered Middleton to a total of 218, with Steve Cheetham putting in the best of a disappointing bowling display with 2-58.

In reply Radcliffe knew they were up against it and so started with their own pro, Gary Garner, who batted manfully to reach 74.

But with his dismissal went any hope Radcliffe had of overhauling the home side's total.

Only three others managed double figures (Ash Gorsi 14, Nick Kennedy 15 and Javeno McLean 11no) as Fernando and Read (3-19) dealt Radcliffe blow after blow.

At Glebe Street the previous day in the league, Radcliffe batted first and got off to a decent start with Phil Hayes and David Garner putting on 49 for the first wicket before the latter was caught by Taylor off Simon Wright for 18.

He was replaced by his dad David but he added only 11. His loss began the procession of batsmen traipsing to the pavilion, with only Gorsi and Neil Tong reaching double figures.

Indeed, had it not been for Hayes' tenacious 76 Radcliffe would have found themselves with far fewer runs on the board than the 162-8 they ended up with.

After a disappointing batting display a good bowling effort was anticipated; unfortunately it was not forthcoming.

Things started well with Crompton's opening pair of Dawson and Rigby dispatched for just 27.

But that signalled the arrival at the crease of pro Saeed Anwar who, having claimed 6-68 with the ball went on to hit 70 runs before being caught by Gorsi off a McLean delivery to put the home side on 143-4.

Whereas Radcliffe's batting impetus had dissipated with the removal of Hayes, Crompton had David Lee to show them the way home on the back of an undefeated 56, despite the best efforts of Tong (3-38) and McLean (2-43).

No doubt a weekend without a game will do the team good and give it the opportunity to lick its collective wounds before returning to action against Heywood on June 18.