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.