IT was a topsy-turvy game before Greenmount finished well on top but they were forced to settle for a draw when they entertained Little Lever.

The villagers had the luxury of a sound base as their top three batsmen all got among the runs in their BOLTON LEAGUE fixture but they had to survive a possible hat-trick and another first ball victim before closing at 174 for 8

That proved too much for Little Lever but despite the home attack being well in command and Keith Webb taking an impressive five catches in the field, the home side couldn't fully press home their advantage and play closed with the Bolton side on 95 for 7 off their 50 overs.

South African Aldo van der Berg (30) and Rob Edmundson (51) put on 58 for the first wicket and then the latter teamed up with professional Craig Norris to take the score to 103 for 2.

Edmundson, Webb and Andy Williams all fell in the space of five runs as Ian Moss stood on the verge of a hat-trick, but skipper Gary Chadwick (25) stopped the rot and although there was a mid-order wobble the total was very acceptable. Norris then had excellent figures of 4 for 16 off 17 overs and was ably backed up by Bobby Horrocks with 3 for 30, but Lever were dogged opposition and a rearguard action denied Greenmount the maximum haul they had threatened.

The battle for the title in the BOLTON ASSOCIATION is no nearer being resolved after the weekend games and leaders Elton will be disappointed with their performance.

They held on to record a losing draw at Little Hulton while closest rivals Adlington were equally frustrated at not getting the better of Astley & Tyldesley who displayed stubborn defence.

It all helped Golborne for they, alone, of the top clubs came out winners, their 40-run triumph at Atherton hoisting them to third place.

Little Hulton set Elton a challenging target when they totalled 188 for 6 and although the leaders tried to respond. the loss of too many wickets forced a re-think and a sensible bid to settle for five points.

Walshaw, too, had little to celebrate when they took on struggling British Aerospace who have been finding it hard to find the winning touch.

Nor did it appear to be any different when they were restricted to 118 for 8 by the Walshaw attack, but Gareth Williams, formerly with Greenmount and Elton, turned up trumps with an astonishing 7 for 29 as Walshaw were skittled for a disappointing 61.

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