THE top two sides in the Bolton Association continued their push for the league title with wins on Saturday.

Leaders Walshaw recorded yet another victory - their seventh in 14 games - but Atherton continued to push the holders who are aiming for their fourth consecutive Association title.

Walshaw were made to chase the 181-7 set them by Clifton, despite three wickets apiece for Rob Faulkner and Jonathon Fielding. A 42 from Jeff Griffiths backed up by 38 from Andrew Griffiths helped Clifton, who started the day in fourth place, towards their healthy total. Pro Faulkner was inspired with the bat, as well the ball, and hammered a not out 71 as his side grabbed the win by three wickets. Credit is also due to Brett Collins who hit a fine 56.

Atherton bounced back from last week's trouncing by Walshaw with a six wicket victory at home to strugglers Edgworth, helped along the way by new pro Mihar Wadakar. Edgworth batted first but were all out for 95 and Wadakar - who grabbed excellent figures of 5-44 - made an early impression when he took a wicket with his third ball. Nuttall also took four wickets, but it was a half-century by Phillip West that bagged the game.

Bottom of the table Daisy Hill continued their poor season losing to Lostock. Daisy Hill were 155 all out, helped by 35 from Mark Wood but hindered by four wicketts each from Shah and Hall. Pro Shah then smashed a terrific unbeaten 73 to help Lostock to their win.

In the mid-table tussle between Standish and Elton, it became the battle of the pros as the latter took the game by 15 runs after opening with just 117. Pro Chris Hall top-scored with 44, and Standish must have felt that the magnificent eight wicket haul of their own pro Sarkarwould have given them chance to win. But Hall replied with five wickets of his own and was backed up by four wickets from Goddard as Standish were bowled out for 102, again letting the game slip away.

Blackrod were beaten at home by Darcy Lever, who batted first and scored 168 for 9 wickets. Neil Fawcett just missed out on a half ton as he hit 46 and pro Bashir took 36, John Fairbrother bagged four wickets. But Blackrod could only make 119 runs of their own as Bashir and Patel took three wickets each.

Golborne were surprise winners over high-flying Spring View, but Adlington could not continue their double success of last weekend as they went down to Little Hulton.