AFTER the previous weekend's run-feast, this weekend was always going to be an anti-climax for Atherton CC.

Firstly Saturday's league game against Clifton at Higham Park was washed out without a ball bowled and then on Sunday they were eliminated from the Lancashire KO in a low scoring game at Adlington.

With three senior players unavailable, skipper Rob Clews was in charge of a much weakened side and on winning the toss decided to take first use of what turned out to be a very difficult track on which balls frequently lifted alarmingly.

Pro Greg Dimery opened with Paul Walsh, but neither lasted long. Walsh was first to go, caught by wicket-keeper Mick Flatters for one while trying to hook. Dimery soon followed, the first of three lbw decisions given by Northern League umpire Mike Gaskell.

Paul McLoughlin hung around for an hour before falling for 13 from 49 balls and the remaining wickets fell at regular intervals. The only other batsman to get into double figures was second XI player Mark Parry who top scored with 14.

With extras accounting for 29, the visitors were all out for 88 in the 36th over. Six Adlington bowlers shared the wickets.

The home side were never comfortable in their reply and took 40 over to reach the victory target, a scoring rate of just over two an over, while losing five wickets.

The only batsmen to end up in double figures were opener Mark Halliwell and skipper Eddie Haddon who each finished on 26 not out. Halliwell laboured for 117 balls for his runs while Haddon took 64 for his.

For Atherton, Anthony Williams, David Baines and Ian Nuttall took a wicket apiece while Dimery finished with 2-14 from nine.

This weekend Atherton make the short trip to Spring View on Saturday and face Elton at Higham Park on Sunday.