A FIRST Bolton Association title is within Elton's grasp after title rivals Atherton failed to win either of their two weekend matches.

Elton, who had a free Saturday, beat Standish by eight wickets on Sunday to move 22 points clear at the top with just four matches left.

Dexter Fitton took six wickets for 16 runs as Standish collapsed at the end of their innings and were dismissed for 84. Chris Read then scored an unbeaten half-century as Elton passed the target with little difficulty.

Atherton needed two convincing wins to keep alive their title hopes, but only picked up eight points from a rain-affected draw at Golborne.

They were then suprisingly beaten at home by Clifton on Sunday. David Hamilton's 80 not out helped Clifton set a target of 162-7. Atherton were on course to pass it at 120-5, but crashed to 147 all out as Steve Holt took 7-77.

Darcy Lever have now overtaken Atherton, going second after two 20-point victories. They had a scare at home to Standish on Saturday, having been bowled out for 72, but dismissed the visitors for just 64 to claim victory.

The following day, Darcy claimed a more comfortable nine-wicket home win over Blackrod.

At the other end of the table, Lostock moved off the bottom thanks to Saturday's seven-wicket win over Astley and Tyldesley.

They could not complete a weekend double victory, however, as they were then beaten by 129 runs at Little Hulton.

Ijaz Mahmood was Hulton's star man, scoring 126 not out with bat -- a knock which included 14 sixes -- to help his team reach 215-4. Mahmood then took 5-34 as Lostock were dismissed for 86.

Golborne have replaced Lostock at the foot of the table, following up their draw against Atherton with another at Astley and Tyldesley. Graham Marsden's 59 runs helped Golborne set a target of 206-9, but A&T clung on at 177-8.

Elsewhere, Jeevantha Kulatunga stepped in at the last minute for Walshaw on Sunday morning after their professional Jonathan Fielding suffered a trapped nerve in his back.

Kulatunga, who is the club pro at Lancashire League club Barnoldswick, hit 58 runs and took 5-15 to help his side to a convincing win at Spring View.

Thirteen-year-old Sam Baldwin was Spring View's star performer, taking 5-66.

Sunday's other match saw Daisy Hill beat Adlington by five wickets.