GOLBORNE had their bowlers and pro Ian Critchley, in particular, to thank for their five wicket Bolton Association win over Lostock.

Critchley picked up four wickets for 24 while the others were shared out as Lostock were unable to make any impression on the game.

The fact that they were bowled out for a meagre 71 gave Golborne their chance and they grabbed it in quick style as Graham Marston's unbeaten 22 saw them rush to a winning total of 72-5. Lostock's Phil Hall did his best to try to halt them with a bowling return of 4-25 but unfortunately his side gave him too few runs runs to play with.

Meanwhile runaway leaders Walshaw were foiled from picking up another win, this time at the expense of Daisy Hill.

The local outfit's mini revival was certainly under threat when they were bowled out for 119. That was mostly due to the bowling of Walshaw pro Jonathan Fielding and teenager Liam Riley.

Fielding finished with 4-24 and Riley 2-19 while only Mark Penny of the Daisy Hill batsmen was able to show any resistance hitting 41 out of the total.

When Walshaw batted, they reached 79-2 off 23 overs, 40 runs short of the target. Again pro Fielding was heavily involved contributing 22 while skipper Rob Faulkner was the top scorer with 26.

Blackrod were another side disappointed by the weather. They were only defending a total of 113-9 but when their game at Astley and Tyldesley ended, the home side were 100-9.

That had looked much better when they were 70-5 but A & T gambled on quick runs in a dash for victory which cost them vital wickets.

Top scorers in the Blackrod total were Peter Morris with 32 and Neil Lawless 30 but their cause was not helped by the absence of the injured David Morris and they were forced to play without a professional.

In contrast, Astley pro Nigel Doyle claimed 5-61 while Blackrod's best were David Aldred 4-31 and Terry Southworth 3-34.

Atherton were another side who looked set to claim victory after putting their opponents into a seemingly losing position.

Elton were 57-7 chasing the home side's 194-8 but a dashing partnership between captain John Pemberton and Peter Kay managed to haul them to 130-7 before the game was washed out.

Pemberton finished on 48 and Kay 31 not out while earlier Ian Nuttall's 64 had helped Atherton recover from 100-6.