DON'T discount champions Golborne from this season's Vimto Bolton Association title challenge.

They maintained an outside chance of retaining their crown with a hard-fought win over Blackrod.

Golborne, 11 points behind Edgworth who have a game in hand, made 210-6 with Rob Clews unbeaten on 49 and Ewan McCray 30.

In reply Blackrod were always in the hunt with Neil Lawless leading the way with 56 and pro Nigel Partington 34.

But they lost three wickets for just one run and were bowled out for 182 with McCray 5-80 and Chris Benbow 5-81.

The leaders, meanwhile, eased home by eight wickets over Astley & Tyldesley.

A & T made 166-6 with a stubborn partnership between Steve Nicklin 68 and Henderson 34. But unbeaten knocks from John Hopkins 59 and David Brookes 41 steered Edgworth home.

Darcy Lever reached 214 with Jason Whittaker 76 and Brett Collins 49.

But it was never enough against Atherton who batted solidly to win by six wickets and consolidate their third position. Phil West hit 73, Andy Hall 52 and Jonathan Fearick an unbeaten 39.

It was such a different story for Atherton in the Vimto Trophy as, in the shock of the round, they tumbled to a 25-run defeat at the hands of British Aero. Steven Kaye and Richard Stobbs both hit 26 as Aerospace made 147-7, Paul Brown taking 4-31. That proved too much for Atherton as Anthony Gredecki top scored with 25 of his side's 122.

Rampant Golborne hit the round's top score as they set Astley & Tyldesley a daunting target of 267-7, in-form Graham Marston knocking 81.

Wicketkeeper Rob Clews then took over as he claimed five victims with three stumpings and two catches as the losers replied with 128-9.

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