DARCY Lever threw away the chance to close the gap on Walshaw at the top of the Bolton Association after slipping to a four-run defeat at Sycamore Road.

The Levers men appear to be wobbling after last week's surprise defeat against Edgworth - and they had a chance to take all the points against league leaders Walshaw in Saturday's game.

Walshaw were restricted to 175 all out in their innings, chiefly thanks to the bowling of Lever professional Devendra Bundela, who finished the day with figures of 4-56. Rob Faulkner hit 51 for Walshaw, who were without Jason Whittaker for the game.

Lever made a swift start to their innings, racing to 83-1 in just 12 overs, but a run of wickets for Liam Riley (5-49) started the rot.

Nick Fawcett made a super 60, but Lever gave away some cheap wickets at the end of their innings to fall four runs short of their target.

In-form Standish took full advantage of Darcy Lever's defeat as they confirmed themselves as Walshaw's major title rivals with a seven-wicket victory over Daisy Hill.

Glenn Ball took 4-32 as Daisy Hill made 149 all out, with Shaun Brooks firing a solid 64. Steve White also took 4-32 in a game reduced to 40 overs because of rain.

In reply, Ball smashed 65 to take his side to victory with the loss of only three wickets.

Defending champions Elton lost by 56 runs at Little Hulton, thanks to a fine knock of 56 by Ian Lee.

Mark Penney also hit 48 and pro Brett Collins 36, as the home side posted an impressive 209-9.

Damien Keegan gave Elton's reply a solid start, hitting a quick-fire 47 before being dismissed. Little Hulton then continued to make runs scarce for the champions, with Mark Penney taking 5-62 as Elton limped to 153-9 before the end.

Anil Rideegammanagedera is certainly making a name for himself at Astley & Tyldesley - not that he needs too much help.

The Sri Lankan fired a superb unbeaten 151 against Spring View to help his side to 262-4, supported ably by Matt Cutt on 59. But Tony Kelly led his side to victory with a fine 119 not out, Arindum Sarkar also knocking a valuable 71 in support.

View made 267-6 despite a valiant effort from Simon Nicholson, who took 5-31.

Adlington made it back-to-back victories with a 44-run success at home to Atherton. Michael Rawlings made an unbeaten 58 in the home side's 198-4, with other fine knocks coming from Andy Robinson (48) and pro Iain Critchley (32).

Critchley then turned tormentor with the ball, taking 6-62 as Atherton were all out for just 154 - Phil Wakefield the main contributor with 35.

Clifton had to work hard to defend a meagre 138-9 against Edgworth, but did so in style thanks to some fine bowling from Steven Holt who had top scored in Clifton's innings with 23, as Adam Syddall rattled an impressive 6-38 for the visitors.

Only Jonathan Knowles, with 38, got going for Edgworth, as Holt (4-28) and pro Chinthaka Jayasinghe (3-25) reduced them to 129-7.