RAMSBOTTOM professional Brad Hodge sent his club roaring to the top of the LANCASHIRE LEAGUE with a marvellous display of batting.

The Australian blasted 152 against Colne - the highest score for a Rammy pro in limited overs cricket - hitting six sixes and 18 fours and taking his total for the season to 802.

After surviving a couple of chances the talented Victorian brutally took apart the home attack as the Rams ran up a total of 256 for 8 with Mark Dentith chipping in with a useful 38.

That total was always going to be a tall order for the homesters and so it proved with Hodge showing his bowling prowess picking up four wickets for 45 and, aided by Garfield Moreton (4 for 18), Colne were restricted to 171 for 8 in reply.

GREENMOUNT run machine Mick O'Rourke just goes from strength to strength.

The talented Aussie took his total for the Bolton League season to 940 with a devastating 159 not out from 156 balls when the depleted villagers took on Eagley.

His knock consisted of two sixes and 24 fours and helped Greenmount to more than useful 272 for 4 no mean feat with skipper Gary Chadwick and first team regulars Andy Williams and Jimmy Horrox all unavailable.

Also among the runs were Andy Bowker (43) and Mark Fallow who hit 37.

In the reply paceman Mark Stewart found something like his old form taking out the first four Eagley batsmen for 29 runs but South African amateur Jamie Wilson proved a tougher nut to crack hitting an unbeaten 109 as the Bolton side reached 195 for 5.

RUNAWAY Bolton Association leaders Walshaw had coach Barry Hamilton to thank for their latest success.

The former Middleton ace finished with superb bowling figures of 5 for 22 as the Sycamore Road side defeated big local rivals Elton.

Second teamer Colin Dobson was pick of the Leigh Lane outfit's batsmen in a total 120 for 9.

The leaders were never stretched chasing that target with Mark Goddard (46 not out) and Brett Collins (38) leading the way.