FLIXTON edged closer to a first Bolton Association title despite the abandonment of their Section A clash at Daisy Hill on Saturday.

All three games in the top section were abandoned due to late afternoon downpours meaning the Trafford outfit have a 22-point advantage on the only other contenders, Atherton, with just two matches and 26 points remaining on offer.

At Daisy Hill, the hosts batted first before the rains came and posted 157-9 despite having four regulars starters absent.

Stephen Hodgkinson (37 not out) and Mike Chilton (37) top scored while skipper Mark Wood added 33.

But the score was restricted after Alton Beckford took 6-56 for the visitors, including two catches off his own bowling.

Steve Hammond also took three catches but Flixton were denied the chance to bat when the game was abandoned at 5.40pm.

Atherton were also left frustrated after bowling Elton out for 154.

Elton professional Chris Read hit 87 but David Baines (4-28) and Jamar Griffith (4-43) kept the score down before the game was halted.

In the other Section A game, Bury hosted Walshaw and pro Nekoli Parris (41) and Alex Breckin (32) helped them to 129, Danny Hornby took 4-30 and Steve Holt 3-33 for Walshaw with captain Mikey Watt also taking five victims behind the stumps.

The visitors reply reached 29-1 before the rain stopped play.

In one of two matches that did get finished, Swinton Moorside stayed top of Section B with an 18-run victory against Edgworth.

Swinton posted 240-7 thanks to brothers Matt Norvall (65) and Chris Norvall (43) and David Flatley’s 56.

Gaz Williams took 4-59 for Edgworth who were set a revised target of 118 from 32 overs in reply.

Tom Fairclough made 35 but they could only reach 99-8 with Australian Jake Brown taking 3-37 to help Swinton to the win.

Winton hosted Blackrod and the visitors made 139-9 from 48 overs, Zak Burton (57) and John Batey (43) top scoring as Mike Seenan (3-36) and Simon Brittain (3-27) kept the score down before the game was abandoned.

In the other Section B clash, Darcy Lever made 153-7 with Jake Cooper 40no, Chris Fenn 26 and Gareth Hopkinson 26 the main batting stars.

Dan Cockton (2-26)m Tom Sheen (2-35) and Rob Holgate (2-50) all took wickets for Lostock who were denied the chance to bat.

In Section C, the other game to conclude saw Astley and Tyldesley beat Golborne by three runs after a revised target was set.

Hosts A&T batted first and made 223-6 with Aaron Booth (77) hitting a half century and skipper Jimmy Cutt chipping in with 33.

Josh Hellion (4-56) and Jake Waterworth (2-58) were the wicket takers for Golborne who were set a target of 140 from 24 overs for victory.

They fell agonisingly short after reaching 136-9 with Ciaran Vesey scoring 58 as Cutt (6-49) led the way for the A&T bowling attack.

Elsewhere in Section C, Standish skipper Sam Heeley took 6-42 to restrict Little Hulton to 97-9 before the rain came.

Adlington were thankful to Jack Shovelton’s 75no which took them from 119-5 to a total of 248-7 against Worsley.

In just 46 balls, Shovelton’s knock included nine sixes and pro Majid Majeed weighed in with 33.

Himesh Silva (2-41), Mike Gould (2-37) and Simon Harrison (2-64) all took two wickets apiece for Worsley whose reply reached 27-0 from 10 overs before the match was abandoned.

Saturday's results

Section A

Elton 154 Atherton did not bat. Match abandoned.

Bury 129 Walshaw 29-1. Match abandoned.

Daisy Hill 157-9 Flixton did not bat. Match abandoned.

Section B

Swinton Moorside 240-7 Edgworth 99-8. Swinton Moorside won by 18 runs (reduced target).

Darcy Lever 153-7 Lostock did not bat. Match abandoned.

Blackrod 139-9 Winton did not bat. Match abandoned.

Section C

Astley & Tyldesley 223-6 Golborne 136-9. A&T won by 3 runs (reduced target) Adlington 248-7 Worsley 27-0. Match abandoned.

Little Hulton 97-9 Standish did not bat. Match abandoned.