I DON'T know about you, but my Bank Holiday weekend just got better and better as it unfolded writes Peter Stafford

It all began fairly horrendously at the Reebok, where the only real high spot was the emergence of Nat, Roy Hartle, Bryan Edwards and the rest at half time.

There were those in the crowd around me who were urging the Hall of Fame lot to stay on the field and play the second half, and I could see their point!

From the Reebok we decamped to Bridgeman Park, unaware at the time that, thanks to the weather, there were only three alternatives open to us. It proved a good choice, although I would like to have seen young Chris Tye's spectacular bowling performance at Egerton.

What on earth has gone wrong at Greenmount? In three of their last four games they have been asked to chase 105, 147 and 104. Had they achieved each of those relatively straightforward targets, they would now not only be Hamer Cup holders, but still in contention for the League title.

Their average reply, however, in the three games in question, was 58 all out, all the more ironic considering that in the fourth game at Tonge they were faced with 246 and very nearly got them. As things stand, of course, one more win for Tonge will virtually seal their fifth championship in seven years.

But to return to Bridgeman Park. At the start of their match against Little Lever, Farnworth were only four games away from joining the three clubs who have contrived to get through a complete Bolton League season without a win -- Egerton in 1955, Horwich in 1962, and Astley Bridge two years ago.

When we arrived Farnworth were halfway towards the long-awaited victory, 90 for two in pursuit of Little Lever's 180. Shafiq Ahmed had taken eight of the nine wickets to fall, and now he was batting in partnership with Martin Axford. Already the pair had played well enough to make the target a realistic one, but we are talking here about a side whose runs-per-wicket average for the season, prior to this game, stood at 10.93, and when Axford misread Harrison's googly at 115, and the same bowler dismissed McGuiness for nought, the age-old cliche about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory was beginning to cross the mind.

But now Shafiq really began to take charge of things, and, first with Gary Mather, then alongside Bill Noakes, he batted very professionally to win the game with a couple of overs to spare.

About a month ago, when Bradshaw were due to play Farnworth, I reminded Dave Morris that only three teams had ever gone through a season without a win. "They'll beat somebody," he replied, "we just have to make sure it isn't us."

Little Lever had failed to make sure it wasn't them, and the relief around Bridgeman Park was almost tangible.

So, what could be better than winning for the first time?

How about Mike Bennison's Walkden winning the Thwaites LCB Trophy at Old Trafford?

And I was happier still on Monday when Bury completed my weekend with an excellent, nail-biting 4-3 win over Shrewsbury.

Shafiq Ahmed, Mike Bennison, Shakers. Brilliant.

Now, Sam, what about this Wanderers situation ..!