IF Lostock felt nothing was going right for them, the opening match of the Association season just might have changed their minds.

After their clubhouse was destroyed by fire last year, the latest blow came when their ground was cut up by contractors from a neighbouring development, leaving them to play all their games away from home.

On Saturday they went to Atherton and after being dismissed for 117 looked down and out. Yet out of their despair they found the courage to make a game of it, reduced Atherton to 27-6 before finally dismissing them for 102 and a 15 run win. Adam Syddall took 3-21 with Phil Hall 3-10 while earlier David Baines looked as if he had put Atherton on the way to a win with 5-23.

Results: Blackrod 122-4 drew with Spring View 221-6; Clifton 288-2 drew with Astley & Tyldesley 120-8; Daisy Hill 71 lost to Walshaw 74-2; Darcy Lever 148 drew with Little Hulton 111-8; Elton 178-8 drew with 111-4; Lostock 117 beat Atherton 102; Standish 158 beat Adlington 110-4.

ASSOCIATION

IN a few opening overs of the new season, Clifton demonstrated just why they are favourites to take the Association title.

Fielding a battling line-up bristling with run makers they not only set a club record for an opening partnership but hit the top score of the day with a total of 288-2 against Astley & Tyldesley.

Andrew Griffiths and new recruit from Middleton, Mark Gardner, set the new opening mark, reaching 209 before they were separated. That was when Gardner went four short of his century but local teenager Griffiths went on to

compile 153 not out.

A & T having decided to put Clifton in took their turn at the crease, knowing full well the home side's total was beyond them, but finished on 120-8 and a share of the draw after five overs were lost to the weather.

The one good thing for Clifton is that their bowling attack also looks useful with new pro Ian Wolstenholme taking 5-51 and Griffiths completing a man of thee match performance with 3-18.

Former champions Walshaw have made their intentions clear after bowling out Daisy Hill for 71 before winning by eight wickets after Rob Faulkner had picked up 5-17.

At Standish, where Adlington were the visitors, the two professionals showed off their talents after both sides had suffered shaky starts.

The home side were 3-2 when new pro Chris Humpries came to the crease. By the time the innings was over he had hit 110 not out in a total of 158.

Adlington pro Matthew Taylor took 6-67 and then had to go on and hit 41 not out as he and skipper Eddie Haddon 36 not out, took the total from 17-3 to 110-4 before rain interfered.

Rain also ended a good game at Blackrod. Champions Spring View reached 221-6, Chris Rudd 77 and pro Sarkar 70, but Blackrod, playing without a pro, were 122-4 in reply with Jack Southworth unbeaten on 62 after 29 overs.

Second teamer Neil Jarvis stepped into the Little Hulton side to take 5-16 and restrict Darcy Lever to 148 but then saw his side struggle with the bat at 111-8 when the game ended early after 43 overs. Andy Stocks did the

damage with 5-20.

At Elton, the home side was 178-8 with Edgworth 111-4 in reply when bad light ended the game after 38 overs.