A FINE unbeaten knock of 60 from John Pemberton was the major factor in Walshaw's two wicket victory at Astley and Tyldesley at the weekend, a win that moved them into the top half of the BOLTON ASSOCIATION table.

Professional Scott Henderson top-scored for the home side, hitting 57 of their 161 for 9 total before becoming one of Charles Dagnall's two victims.

But it was Jonathan Fielding who took the bowling plaudits for the Sycamore Road lads with a fine 14 over spell that earned him 5 for 45.

Walshaw's reply went the full distance and after Mike Goddard (23) and Simon Bamford (36) departed it was left to Pemberton to hold the show together before the winning runs were plundered in the final over for the loss of eight wickets.

Elton had the better of a drawn game at Atherton but it was a close call.

Coach Graham Bushell (57), Gary Stansfield (41) and Rick Ainsworth (33 not out) were among the runs as the Leigh Laners ran up a score of 196 for 8 from their 48 overs.

That proved to be just out of reach of the home side who finished a tantalising four runs short of victory with paceman Gareth Williams accounting for half a dozen of their batsmen.

Greenmount's hopes of securing a place in next year's Lancashire Knockout took another knock when they suffered a six wicket BOLTON LEAGUE defeat at home to Walkden.

Despite professional Richard Chee Quee's 54 and a useful 49 from Keith Webb their total of 171 was never likely to be enough and so it proved.

South African paid man Paul Rayment took centre stage with an unbeaten 83 as Walkden strolled to victory with 17 overs remaining.

A match-winning 5 for 32 haul from Garfield Moreton helped Ramsbottom to an comfortable victory at Lowerhouse in the LANCASHIRE LEAGUE.

Only three of the home side's batsmen reached double figures as they were skittled all out for 69.

But it wasn't all plain sailing in reply, opener Chris Hall had to bat throughout the innings for 22 as the Acre Bottom side reached the target for the loss of five wickets.

There were mixed fortunes for local sides in the LANCASHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE.

Prestwich caused an upset when they accounted for reigning champions Denton West. Bowler Martin Hegg was in unplayable form and his 8 for 50 skittled second-placed Wests to 86 all out a total the Heys Road club surpassed for the loss of only three wickets.

The boot was on the other foot at the Kenyons where Woodbank were found wanting in the batting stakes being skittled to 81 all out against Thornham.

Visiting paceman Barry Hamilton was their tormentor with a terrific 9 for 36 haul after his side had set a total of 219 for 8.

Brooksbottoms were another club who couldn't make it to the century mark.

They were left floundering two short of a ton when they entertained Ashton-on-Mersey in the MANCHESTER ASSOCIATION.

Professional Brendan Shinnick led the visitors to a ten wicket victory with an unbeaten 62.

At Gincroft Lane, Edenfield paid man John Ashley did a demolition job on visitors Whalley with a season's best 6 for 38 as the visitors were despatched for a paltry 60 runs in their RIBBLESDALE LEAGUE clash.

Openers John Kershaw (24 not out) and Nigel Franklin (37 not out) certainly didn't hang about as they took the reply to 62 in only 7.4 overs to make a mockery of the visitors score.

Of the trio of local CENTRAL LANCASHIRE LEAGUE clubs only Unsworth managed a victory. The Parr Lane strugglers took the opportunity to move above another club at the wrong end of the table, Oldham, with a five point victory at the Pollards.

The homesters total of 153 was knocked off the the loss of four wickets with Saeed leading the way with an impressive 80.

There was no change in fortunes for bottom club Radcliffe who slumped to their 18th defeat of the season.

Milnrow visited the Racecourse Ground and put on 224 for 8 a score that was always going to prove a tall order for the young Radcliffe side who wound up all out for 143.

It was a similar story for Stand who entertained league leaders Rochdale.

The Hamilton Road side were never in the hunt as 'Dale's Aussie professional Robbie Baker hit an unbeaten 89 of their 184 for 8.

He then turned up trumps with the ball dismissing four Stand batsmen for 33 as they slumped to 117 all out.

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