ANDY Hall signed off his Higham Park career on Sunday at Elton.

Captaining Atherton in the continued absence of the injured Steve Walsh, Hall lost the toss but when Elton were reduced to 31-6 after 16 overs it seemed that there would not be much need for his batting skills on his last appearance.

However, excellent contributions of 26 and 30 from the Riaz brother, Abid and Rashid, and an innings top score of 38 from Peter Kay, pushed the home side to 144 all out in the 46th over.

Wickets were shared between six Atherton bowlers, including figures of 1-8 off five overs from Hall himself, bowling for the first time in three seasons. Atherton opened their reply with yet another partnership, this time Ian Nuttall and Philip West.

Nuttall was soon on his way back, bowled for nought in the first over. Next man, Philip Wakefield, soon followed, agin bowled, for just seven. West threatened but when he had reached 32 he became the third clean bowled victim of the innings.

Sixteen-year-old Paul Walsh and Hall came together on 52-3 with a further 93 needed off 35 overs. After a 36 minute break for rain which reduced the overs by six, the pair set about the Elton bowling with great purpose.

For once Hall was prepared to play second fiddle to his junior partner and the youngster responded with an innings of great maturity. It contained many powerful shots and culminated in his first 50 at senior level. He finished on 54 not out off 66 balls and hit seven fours and one six.

Hall still had time for a half century of his own, finishing on 50 not out, as he steered his side to a seven wicket win with 15 overs to spare. To mark his final game after six years with Atherton, Hall's team-mates formed a guard of honour at the close of play.

The previous day a lacklustre Atherton went down by eight wickets at home to Little Hulton.

Atherton posted a meagre 148-7. The only highlight in the innings was the best opening partnership of the season, 59, between Paul Walsh and Andrew Cole.

The visitors, with half centuries from Paul Craig and pro David Parkinson, had no difficulty in knocking off the necessary runs with 18 overs to spare.

Hall's last task with Atherton will be on Monday, September 25 when he returns to hand out the awards at the junior section presentation evening. The night starts at 7.30pm.