WATCH out for a thrilling finish to the Bolton Association!

All right, it's still just past mid-July . . . plenty of batting still to come.

But the twists and turns on the way to settling the championship issue are coming thick and fast. And, in the big guessing game, both Golborne and Atherton plan to be around the summit come stumps in September.

On Saturday leaders Golborne and Elton both lost, leaving the way open for Walshaw and Atherton to display their title credentials.

Only 12 points separated the top five clubs.

Champions Adlington toppled Golborne by seven wickets after having them in dire touble at 48-6.

Only pro Ian Critchley, pictured facing counterpart Matthew Taylor, showed any form of defiance in his 32.

He was helped by John Waterworth's 17 - which included a six and a four - but the total of 115 was well below par.

From 26-2 Adlington wound it up at 116-3.

Walshaw comprehensively beat bottom club Astley & Tyldesley by six wickets to leap into title contention.

Bowlers Jonathan Fielding and Bret Collins set up the victory by dismissing A&T for only 105, only Scott Henderson 23 and David Clare 18 making any solid contributions. Walshaw scored 107-4.

Atherton were comprehensive 96-run victors over Elton after producing a tremendous all-round display.

They posted a total of 200-9 with Ian Nuttall 34, Philip Wakefield 30 and pro Andy Hall 39.

Then their bowlers sparked off a procession of Elton batsmen back to the pavilion, Nuttall capping a fine match taking 4-39 while Steve Walsh claimed 3-22 leaving Elton dismissed for 104.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.