Little Hulton should have known what to expect when they came up against Atherton last week.

According to Little Hulton secretary Mike Tyldesley it seems that Atherton batsman Phil West always does well in games between the two sides.

"I don't know why but Phil constantly gets lots of runs against us." he said.

True to form the Atherton batsman did the business in last Saturday's game hitting 104 but when the clubs met again the following day in the Cross Cup, West never got near the three figure mark - he only scored 51 - but Atherton still won.

Perhaps Little Hulton should try and tempt West to come and play for them ...

On the other hand, they had a touch of luck when they took his wicket in the cup game.

Having just reached 50 and thinking of achieving his second century in 24 hours he was backing up when Greg Dimery was at crease.

Unfortunately Dimery drove the ball back straight down the wicket, the bowler got a touch and deflected the ball on to the stumps, running out the unfortunate West.