AFTER all the pre-season hype and expectation, the majority of games in the Bolton Association fell victim to the weather.

And sadly for Elton, their game against Adlington game fell into this category.

The game had been billed as a tricky one, but not one that should worry the Leigh Laners - the ideal start to a season - especially with difficult games coming thick and fast.

After a bad start, with Lomax dismissed without scoring, Chris Read and paid man Dexter Fitton set about repairing the damage.

However, after Fitton (21) sliced a cut shot into first slip's gleeful hands, Elton were once again in trouble.

On a testing early season pitch, coach Damien Keegan (11) soon followed Fitton back to the pavilion.

Ex-Elton professional Darron Foy (19) had to dig in, resisting the big shots, before he also fell victim to Wardle, the first scalp of his five-wicket haul.

Considering the conditions, and his constant loss of partners, Read performed maturely for his man of the match knock of 57.

There was also an exciting cameo from Mark Goddard (24) who helped Elton to post a defendable total of 156-9.

After a flurry of early wickets shared between Peter Kay and Mark Goddard, Adlington stuttered to 20-4, with Elton looking odds on for the victory.

However, Mother Nature had other ideas and opened the heavens - leaving a strong Elton side stranded.

Meanwhile, WALSHAW professional Jonathan Fielding got the season off to a flying start with a century in his first game.

But the reigning Association champions had to settle for a draw after rain also washed out their game at Darcy Lever.

Fielding's 113 formed the backbone of the Sycamore Road side's total of 170 for 7 from 28 overs.

In reply the home side - who were without their professional Davendra Bundela who hadn't arrived in the country, made a decent start, scoring 63 for 2 from 20 overs before the umpires called an end to proceedings.