A SEASON which started with something of a whimper has ended with a loud bang for Radcliffe who signed off their Central Lancashire League season in fine style.

The lads from The Racecourse had won all five of their previous matches and they made it a run-in to savour with a convincing performance against Oldham on Sunday.

And that earned them the Oldham Brewery (Centenary) Trophy for the side other than the champions to take most points from the last six games of the campaign.

Radcliffe have completed their programme but closest rivals Norden cannot overhaul them and just to add to the occasion, Radcliffe's second team have clinched the Courage Trophy for their last six exploits.

The first team's visitors took first strike in fine weather conditions and were bowled out for 145 in 42.1 overs, professional Steve Dearden and Nick Kennedy each taking four wickets as Brandon Nash led the way for Oldham with 55.

Radcliffe had an early scare but Bruce Cruse, Graeme Simpson and Dearden all scored in the high 30s and Radcliffe squeezed through in the final over with four wickets in hand.

Over at Unsworth a half century by Mark Manley fell on stony ground for the home side couldn't respond with a push for victory.

The Parr Laners slumped from 92 for 2 to 156 for 7 off their 50 overs as Lovell took 5 for 60, but then they didn't help their own cause as wayward bowling conceded 18 wides and no balls.

Manley and professional Wanansinghe each took three wickets with the latter especially economical but Royton notched a four-wicket win in the 49th over.

Hopes of a cup and league double for Prestwich in the Lancashire County League are still alive...but only just following a crushing defeat at the hands of Roe Green.

Prestwich, already holders of the Walkden Cup, crashed to an all out 66 as professional Paul Green ripped through their order with 6 for 21, the visitors cashing in on the toss of a coin as the home side were asked to bat first on a damp wicket.

Gareth Wilson backed up Green with 4 for 37 as both bowled well, the innings slumping from 36 for 2 to 45 for 7 and on a drier pitch the visitors made the winning post for the loss of only four wickets, three of them to Andy Bradley who has 50 victims for the season for the fourth time.

Irlam still lead, points are available from the remaining three matches but the odds are now stacked against the double.

Local rivals Woodbank would prefer a veil being drawn over their game, the bald facts being that Denton St Lawrence scored 162 for 9 with the Bury side replying with an all out 90.

Bury found themselves under the cosh in the Manchester Association as hosts Stretford took 242 for 3 off their attack in 50 overs, opener Turner unbeaten on 95.

The Radcliffe Road side had won their previous four matches and went for it but at 63 for 5, Under 18 skipper James Stone and first team skipper Ian Thew (50) stopped the rot with a stand of 64 and the side managed a bonus point as they closed on 150 for 7.

Brooksbottom suffered in similar fashion but missed out on the bonus batting point, all out for 140 (Sadiq 64) after Hussain (75) and Johnson (50) had swept South West Manchester to 209 for 6.

Over in the Bolton League there was a double header for Greenmount who bounced back after a Saturday disappointment with an improved performance the next day.

The first match saw the villagers struggle to 108 for 7 off 50 overs, Mick O' Rourke leading the way with 33 runs. That was the top score of the day from either side but hosts Egerton eased to victory by three wickets after 36 overs.

Westhoughton were the visitors to Brandlesholme Road on Sunday and their bowlers must have felt they had performed well as they restricted the home side to 150 for 9. Anwar's half century was well supported by Mark Fallon's unbeaten 41 but the tail end went cheaply.

Mark Stewart then got stuck into the Westhoughton ribs and when Anwar joined in the fun they each took four wickets, but the opposition were determined and although nine of their players failed to make double figures they clung on to frustrate the home side and close at 63 for 9.

And last, but by no means least, the penultimate game for Edenfield in the Ribblesdale League saw them slump to an all out 73 after they had bowled out Clitheroe for 97. Radcliffe come good at the death ELTON have had to take second best to local rivals Walshaw in the Bolton Association but they were in impressive mood on Saturday as they chalked up a six-wicket win.

Hosts Little Hulton took first knock and were bowled out for 72 as Peter Kay led the way with 5 for 32. Chappell chipped in with 3 for 22 before opener Paul Murray (29 not out) and professional Arothe (24) put them well on the way towards maximum points.