GOLBORNE are back where they belong. The champs swept to the top of the Vimto Bolton Association as their nearest challengers both faltered.

Darcy Lever produced a fine batting show to beat second-placed Edgworth while Atherton - beaten by Golborne on Saturday - dropped from first to third after defeat at Clifton.

Golborne, however, were never going to be denied after hitting 227-9 against Spring View. Pro Paul Kelly, now relieved of the wicketkeeping duties following the arrival of Rob Clews, responded with 76 while Graham Marston produced another solid innings of 42. Ewan McCray then did the damage with the ball, taking 6-48 as the Wigan side were dismissed for 144.

Atherton's 175-9 at Clifton was never enough to deny the home side. Phil Royle 39 and Geoff Griffiths 60 attacked from the start on their way to a winning 177-5.

On Saturday Golborne won the battle of the derby rivals as Atherton contrived to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Golborne posted 193 - never good enough on a wicket suited to the batsmen - and Atherton quickly proved that as Andy Hall 78, Jonathan Harrop 37 and Phil West 31 quickly made inroads into the required run rate.

Then it all fell apart. Only 41 runs were needed for victory, seven wickets in hand and plenty of overs left. But McCray and Marston exploited the frailties of the Atherton batting to complete a surprising 27-run win.

Marston finished with 4-22 to add to the 53 he scored earlier in the day while McCray had 4-65. Andy Batterley was the top Golborne batsman with 75, Jonathan Fearick the leading Atherton bowler taking 4-53.

Astley & Tyldesley settled for a draw with British Aero, veteran Ralph Livesey snapping up 4-34 in Aero's 143-9. In reply A & T were 130-8, Ian Robinson producing a second successive half-century of the weekend with 51.

On Saturday Robbo hit 81, including 13 fours, as A & T drew with Adlington, whose 237-6 was always too big a target.

After 22 overs they were 48-2 but Robinson and Simon Nicklin 48 steered them through and the innings folded at 207-9.

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