DARREN Foy and Peter Kay took four wickets each as Elton effectively ended Darcy Lever's title hopes on Sunday.

Darcy were dismissed for just 58 runs in 27 overs as they missed their big chance to close the gap on Elton at the top of the table.The visitors had looked vulnerable after falling to 127 all out, with Dominic Gavin taking six wickets for 54 runs.

But then Foy and Kay struck, before Elton professional Dexter Fitton mopped up the tail by taking 2-0.

Elton are now 28 points clear at the top with five matches remaining, while Darcy Lever are third, 42 points adrift of the leaders.

Second-placed Atherton, who have a game in hand on Elton, kept up the pressure with an 84-run win over resurgent Lostock.

Karl Brown, aged 16, became the youngest player ever to score 1,000 runs in a Bolton Association season with his 83, while Lee Childs and Philip West also hit half-centuries to help Atherton reach 251-6.

David Charlson then took 6-57 as Lostock were dismissed for 167.Daisy Hill are making a late burst for the top three after a comfortable win at home to Golborne.Faisal Alfredi was the star man, taking nine of the 10 Golborne wickets as the visitors were all out for 104 in response to Daisy Hill's 195.

Blackrod won by one wicket on the last ball at Astley and Tyldesley, squeezing home thanks to an unbeaten 60 from Gary Speak. Will Halton had earlier taken 7-48 to help dismiss A&T for 122.

There was another tight finish at Spring View, who fell six runs short in their bid for victory at home to Clifton. Andrew Griffiths had hit 73 and Geoff Griffiths 57 in Clifton's tally of 216-6. Spring View ran out of overs in their reply, despite Ian Murphy's 56

in their total of 210-7. Tony Potter, making a rare appearance for Clifton, took 3-52.

The day's other two games saw two outstanding batting performances. Ijaz Mahmood hit 113 not out for Little Hulton having earlier taken 5-72 - as they beat Standish by six wickets.

And Nick Kernick scored 118 not out for Edgworth in a rain-affected draw at home to Adlington.