WALSHAW maintained their push for a unique fourth successive title with a successful 30 points haul.

The champions stretched their narrow lead at the top of the table with victory over in-form Atherton followed by a winning draw against rivals Little Hulton but the title race is still wide open.

Walshaw amassed 199-8 but had to recover from a disastrous start when they collapsed to 28-4. Brett Collins hit a sparkling 87 to turn the situation around with Doug Hornby's half century another valuable contribution. Mark Penny took 4-66 and Andrew Sutherland 3-65.

Little Hulton shut up shop with 10 overs to go as they fell behind the clock and were content to finish on 143-6. Mark Lee top scored with 34 as Collins starred with the ball and took 3-43.

Spring View moved into second spot, eight points adrift of Walshaw with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Standish.

The home side were restricted to 139-8 with Simon Maiden 31 and Sarkar 30 as Ian Murphy took 4-30. View were 65-2 when Paul Matthews and Tony Kelly came together and ensured a comfortable win.

Atherton crashed to their second defeat of the weekend - two setbacks that could well cost them the title - when Adlington skittled them out for 89.

Adlington reached 145-8 as pro Matthew Taylor hit 47 on a difficult wicket with support from Stephen Moore 29.

In reply Atherton had a disastrous start and lost two wickets in two balls to Neil Woosey who also forced Paul Walsh to retire after he was hit on the cheekbone. Rob Clews hit 24 and Paul McLoughliun 20 but they folded to 89 all out. Mark Robinson took 4-19 and Taylor 3-37.

Elton made short work of Darcy Lever who were all out for 91 with Chris Hall the chief architect of their demise with 6-34. Bashir saved further embarrassment with 41. Earlier Elton had made 156-7 with Riaz unbeaten on 56.

A&T were frustrated at Edgworth who batted out for a tame draw.

The visitors made 189-7 with Bazid Khan in form with 76 and Chris Bullock 48. Nigel Barlow took 4-51.

Edgworth struggled to maintain the required run rate and, despite 40 from John Mills and John Mather, were content to bat out at 148-7.

Golborne ended a run of eight successive defeats with a three wicket win over Clifton.

The visitors made 149-9 with Dave Parkinson 49 as Dave Roberts grabbed 6-60.

In reply Golborne put their run of six league and two cup defeats behind them with a seven-wicket triumph. Lee Baldwin was unbeaten on 55 with Chris Benbow 43.

Teenager Jack Southworth was instrumental in Blackrod's seven-wicket win over Lostock. He struck 70 and with Neil Lawless undefeated on 52 they comfortably passed Lostock's 147.

Phil Knowles 39 and Steve Kay 31 were top scorers. John Fairbrother took 4-26.