ATHERTON CC's Redmayne Bentley Bolton Association title aspirations suffered a setback on Saturday when, in a low scoring match at Blackrod, they were beaten by three wickets.

On arriving at the ground it was obvious that the winning of the toss would be vital as heavy overnight rain made the wicket indistinguishable in colour from the rest of the square - a real old fashioned 'green top'.

Skipper Steve Walsh was unlucky with the call and the home side had no hesitation in putting Atherton in to bat.

After eight overs the scored had struggled to 14 when the first wicket went down, that of Paul Walsh for four. fellow opener Chris Partington laboured to 15 off 46 balls when he became the first of veteran Terry Southworth's seven victims.

Pro Greg Dimery was well caught close in by skipper Gary Speak and leading amateur Phil West was bowled while attempting to drive Southworth. Phil Wakefield grafted for 59 balls to become joint top scorer with Partington.

Threatened

Ian Nuttall threatened to restore some credibility to the innings with some well struck shots but with his score on 12 was well caught and bowled by pro Dave Morris.

The remaining three wickets added a further six runs and the visitors were all out for 77 in the 43rd over.

The ball had jumped and popped about all through and it was obviously a wicket that offered the bowlers everything, the batsmen nothing. Southworth and Morris bowled throughout to finish with 7-24 and 3-52 respectively.

The constant use of the heavy roller throughout the tea interval gave the home side hope that conditions would be better when they batted, but they soon found themselves in the same boat.

Dimery bowled opener Westhead in the third over, had Whittle lbw in the fifth while Morris was leg before to Nuttall's first ball in the sixth. When, after some lusty blows, Chris Bailey became the seventh wicket to fall with the score on 51, the sun was out and wicket drying.

As conditions eased a little Speak and Peter Dickinson managed to winkle out the remaining 27 runs required for victory. Dimery finished with 4-30 but Atherton had to settle for a measly three points.

Tomorrow they will be looking to get back on the right track when they meet Spring View at home.