CONFIDENT Bolton Association believe they can go all the way after recording their first MEN Lancashire Inter-league Trophy victory for seven years.

They reached the semi-finals - and sweet revenge over the Central Lancashire League - with a resounding success at Golborne.

And victory was far more conclusive than the four-wicket margin suggests as their rivals, who knocked them out in a close game at Ashton two years ago, set off at a hot pace.

Skipper Steve Walsh (Atherton) put a stop to that with his effective spin, bowling five successive maidens as they slumped from 94-4 to 102-6 and finally 130-9 at the end of their allocated 48 overs.

The target proved comfortable for the Association, despite a late slump, and they finally coasted in to set up a home showdown on July 11 against the Saddleworth League.

Team manager Derek Bannister smiled: "We won the Trinity Cup last year, now this game. We're on a roll!

"It's the first time we've won in this competition for some time. We picked a team for the game and everyone played well.

"Half the team have been professionals in their own right and are very experienced. We are confident we can go all the way."

In the other half of the draw are Bolton League, who beat the Northern League (reversing last year's final), scoring 217-7 and then dismissing the opposition for 169.

They now face Ribblesdale in the semis; two Bolton victories would see a hot decider on August 8.

Northern's best chance lay with former Atherton and Spring View batsman Neil Bannister, who took them to 127-1 with a marvellous 64; his exit signalled the end.

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