BRETT Collins destroyed Edgworth with a devastating display of power as Walshaw put themselves firmly in the driving seat for the title.

The champions battered the village side by seven wickets to move 17 points clear of second placed Atherton with three games to go.

And it was Collins whose name was on everybody's lips at the end. He wasn't at the crease long but, boy did he make the most of it.

He blasted 90 runs in just 42 balls - an incredible 70 of them in just three overs.

His main victim was Edgworth pro Gary Garner who was hit for 28 in one over and then 24 in his next.

Collins was still at the crease when his side passed Edgworth's total of 165-7 after 21 overs, 17-year-old Danny Hornby also hitting a quickfire 43.

Earlier, Walshaw pro Jonathan Fielding took 5-60 while Mike Davies hit 56 and Chris Locke an unbeaten 33.

Atherton were always going to have a tough time closing the gap on Walshaw against in-form Adlington who began the day in third place.

And so it proved as Adlington shut up shop and refused to lose when they realised they could not win.

Atherton set a tough target of 200-6 with pro Greg Dimery hitting a measured 89 and Philip West 38. Matthew Taylor took 5-72 and deputy wicketkeeper Darryl Hitchen took three stumpings and one catch.

Hitchen followed up with 43 and Taylor 47 not out but Adlington realised the target was out of reach at 116-6 and they played their innings out to finish on 151-7.

Golborne slipped into third with a gripping victory at Standish.

They had just one wicket to spare and four balls remaining when they hit their winning run.

Standish pro Pankaj Tripathi blasted 85 and John Waddington weighed in with 76 in their side's 232-8, Ian Critchley taking 4-71.

Golborne's hero was John Waterworth who slammed 90 while Geoff Marston hit 49 and Mike Cullen 30 in their victory haul, Simon Maiden taking 4-67 for Standish.

Clifton's challenge faded a little as they failed to beat Darcy Lever who opened with 198-9, Tony Potter taking five wickets. In reply Clifton managed 148-7 with Andy Stocks enjoying a five-wicket haul.

The day's top wicket-taker was Elton pro Chris Hall who struck six times in Astley and Tyldesley's failed reply.

Elton opened with 149-9 with Hall top scorer on 52 and A&T pro Nigel Doyle taking 5-59.

In reply the bottom club managed 134 all out with Paul Bennett on 32.

Daisy Hill hung on for the draw against Lostock who posted 144-7 with pro Steve Twist hitting 37 and Aaron Raynard 32, Mike Buckley taking 4-78 and Chris Jones 3-57.

Jones completed a fine day with 46, Andy Clarke scored 20 and Peter Kirkman 21 as Daisy scored 123-9.

There was just no stopping Little Hulton pro Ijaz Mahmood once he got into the swing at Spring View.

He came in with 19 overs left and blasted an incredible 112 not out including eight sixes and six fours.

Mike Edwards was also in top form as he finished just six off a century and View had the daunting challenge of trying to beat 282-3.

They made a decent fist of it as they held on for a draw on 203-9, Steven Williams top scoring with 43 and pro Arindam Sarkar hitting 29. Mahmood was not finished after his batting exploits, however, as he went on to take 4-59.