ATHERTON CC lost ground in their quest for the Redmayne Bentley Bolton Association championship at the weekend when they could only take 14 bonus points from their drawn game with Adlington while league leaders Walshaw were winning at Edgworth.

Adlington won the toss and put Atherton in first. Opener Dave Charlson was soon sent back, out lbw to professional Matthew Taylor for just one. His partner Phil Wakefield looked in good nick and was soon into his stride with two fours and a six.

But when he had reached 18 he was drawn forward by Taylor to offer Darrell Hitchen a straightforward stumping.

Partnership

This brought together Atherton's professional Greg Dimery and leading amateur Phil West and together they put together the best partnership of the day, 87.

West was prolific with his boundary shots and was attempting a seventh four when he probably the worst ball of the day straight to Stuart Rawlinson when he had made 38.

Dimery was progressing in his usual classy manner and reached his 16th half-century of the season off 96 balls with eight 4s. In partnerships of 40 and 30 respectively with Paul Walsh and Rob Clews, who each made 18, he reached 89 before being caught in the last over of the innings while attempting to reach his century.

The innings closed on 200-6, Taylor picking up 5-72 from 20 overs.

Like Atherton when Adlington batted they too lost an early wicket when Scott Henderson was run out for two by a direct throw from Paul Walsh.

Fellow opener Andrew Robinson also fell for two, caught by wicket-keeper Phil Williamson. Darrell Hitchen looked set for a big score but when he had reached 43 he fell victim to the 'catch of the season' taken by skipper Steve Walsh in the slips one-handedly above his head.

Substance

The only other innings of substance came from Taylor who followed up his five wickets with with 47 not out. The other batsmen hung around to prevent the visitors gaining the full 20 points that they badly needed, the final score being 151-7.

The Atherton wickets were shared between Charlson, 2-27 from eight, Paul Walsh 2-39 from 11 and Ian Nuttall 1-25 from eight. Although Dimery only took one wicket, he finished a 19 over spell with eight consecutive maidens. Wicket-keeper Phil Williamson took two catches and made one stumping.

This weekend sees the last double header of the season and sees Atherton at home to Daisy Hill tomorrow while making the trip to Darcy Lever on Sunday. Both games start at 1pm.