ATHERTON have made their Bolton Association intentions very clear.

They want in at the top - and on Saturday they beat the weather and Walshaw to lift themselves back into top four contention.

The match was one of only three games to be completed as a heavy afternoon downpour flooded most wickets.

Walshaw, hoping to hit top spot, must have felt reasonably confident after posting a target of 164-8, pro Jonathan Fielding hitting 80 and Robin Faulkener 45.

Atherton responded with a positive batting performance, despite Bret Collins taking 4-43.

Philip West led the way with 49, but, with 18 runs needed off the last two overs, the match seemed destined to be drawn.

David Charlson and Jonathan Hyde put paid to that notion by hitting 17 off the penultimate over to set up a two wicket win in the last over.

Charlson ended with 18, Hyde 19 not out.

The previous week Atherton scored an eight-wicket mauling of Spring View. The Wigan side made 138-9, Steve Walsh taking 4-56; then Atherton pro Andy Hall ensured victory with a superb 82 not out supported by Jonathan Harrop's 41.

Golborne were one of the clubs frustrated by the weather.

Facing Darcy Lever, they opened with 157-8. Steve Wood hit 52 and Graham Marston was unbeaten on 36, but the early honours went to Darcy pro Jason Whittaker for a bowling display that earned him six wickets for 37 runs.

That was as far as it went with rain soaking the wicket and washing out proceedings.

The previous week Golborne took the thunder out of a thunderstorm with a winning draw over Standish. Golborne had made 230-6 with pro Ian Critchley hitting an excellent 83 not out and 17-year-old Nicky Day 33 not out. Standish had made 103-4 after 27 overs when the rains came to wash out further play.

Clifton and Astley & Tyldesley were unable to complete their battle at the foot of the table.

The two bottom clubs met at Gin Pit with David Wild's unbeaten 76 steering Clifton to a healthy 180-6.

Astley pro Scott Henderson and David Hughes each claimed three wickets each but when their side batted they could only reach 14-0 before the rains came.

The previous week A&T frustrated Elton, despite their rivals making a respectable 195-2. In reply, Henderson batted through to finish on 53 out of 111-5.

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