THE Bolton Association's hopes of making it an all-Bolton MEN Knockout final were swept away by a whirlwind innings from a possible star of the future.

Seventeen-years-old Tom Smith, a member of the Lancashire Academy at Old Trafford, smashed 122 off only 77 balls then took four wickets to inspire the Northern League to a 93-run win at Leyland.

The Northern League were 112-3 when Smith went to the crease and he took only 49 balls to reach his half century. He then took only another 14 more balls to complete his century, the three figures coming as he smashed three sixes in an over from Karl Brown.

The Atherton man finally earned some satisfaction when he took a diving catch at ankle height to dismiss Smith but by that time the damage had been done as the Northern League finally ended their innings at an impressive 277-7 from their 48 overs.

The Association lost their first wicket at 31 when Brown was caught and bowled by that man Smith. That brought Neil Bannister to join another Academy player, Andrew Griffiths, at the wicket, and while they were

together, there was some hope that they could keep the Association up with a run rate of seven an over.

Griffiths, however, was unlucky to be the victim of a dubious lbw decision after he had made 42, reducing the Association to 68-2. Then with only four runs added, Bannister was also adjudged leg before.

Again the Association looked as if they had recovered when Walshaw's Tony Kelly and Clifton's David Hamilton started to stroke the ball around, but after putting on 67 for the fourth wicket, Kelly was bowled for 41 by a ball

that kept low.

That brought Brett Collins to the crease, but the Walshaw big-hitter never had the chance to get to grips with the bowling as he perished without scoring.

That was the beginning of the end, and the innings was finally wrapped up for 184, with man of the match Smith finishing with figures of 4-35.