ATHERTON CC got back on to the Redmayne Bentley Bolton Association Championship trail on Saturday, with a victory against Lostock in a low scoring game at Lostock Lane.

Due to the unavailability of Steve Walsh, the Atherton side was skippered by Paul Brown, who carried on where Walsh left off and lost the toss.

The home side elected to bat and lost their first wicket to the last ball of the first over when Greg Dimery had Matthew Syddall caught behind by keeper Phil Williamson.

Ian Nuttall, who had opened the bowling with Dimery, then had Phil Knowles superbly caught by Phil West at forward short leg and followed up in his next over by bowling Ian Gavin.

Nuttall took a third wicket an over later to leave Lostock on 24 for four at the end of the 14th over.

After bowling nine overs, Nuttall was replaced by David Baines, who had been drafted in from the second team to replace Walsh. It was Baines' first senior game for two years.

His first over was a double wicket maiden. Firstly he had skipper Graham Beswick taken by Phil West at forward short leg, this time stretching one-handedly above his head, then he clean bowled Adam Syddall before he had scored.

Dimery then had fellow professional Steve Twist leg before for a top score of 16 before Baines struck again with another double wicket maiden in his sixth over, bowling both Lucman Issa and Mathew Taylor.

Dimery then bowled last man Phil Hall, to bring the innings to a close on 74 in the 33rd over.

Dimery finished with three for 36 from 16.3, Nuttall three for 19 from nine, and Baines an excellent four for 13 from seven.

Any ideas that Atherton may have entertained about victory being a mere formality against such a low score were soon dispelled as wickets began to fall at regular intervals.

Firstly Partington was caught by wicketkeeper Ian Gavin for one with the score on six. Then after the top partnership of the day, 27, between fellow opener Phil Williamson and pro Greg Dimery, Dimery was caught by fellow pro Steve Twist for 15.

Phil West joined Williamson in a partnership of 21, but after his own score had reached 10 West gave Gavin his second catch, this time off the bowling of Twist.

Paul Walsh came and went second ball for nought, Clews following suit, this time bowled by Twist for the same score.

Four runs later Williamson went for a top score of 22, with keeper Gavin taking his fourth catch and Adam Syddall his second wicket.

All of a sudden the visitors were 64 for six, and defeat was a distinct possibility. However Paul Brown and Greg Greenough with four apiece, and a second top score of 19 extras allowed the Highan Park outfit to scramble home to 20 points with a sigh of relief all round.

Atherton are still second in the table ten points adrift of Walshaw but have played one game more. That will be cancelled out on Saturday when Atherton have a free day.

On Sunday Higham Park hosts the 107th Cross Cup Final between Adlington and Clifton.

The next league match is at home to Edgworth on Saturday, August 11.