ATHERTON took all the glory in their match against a weakened Edgworth side.

They were playing six regular first teamers, and to make matters worse, one of the replacements had been involved in a road accident and was unable to take part.

Edgworth batting first were three wickets down for 14 runs in no time. All three batsmen being out in unfortunate ways. Mike Davies was lbw to Dimery, who had quite a wretched day for him with the ball. He found it impossible to get a good line, with wides on either side of the wicket, so to get out leg before he had to be very unlucky.

Add to this Dave Critchley getting his feet in the way of a leg-side delivery and deflecting it onto his stumps, and then Gary Garner playing forward defensively to a ball from Ian Nuttall, which took off, hit him on his right forearm, and ricocheted into his stumps.

This brought together Nick Kernick and John Mather, who has played second team cricket for far too long. They both started tentatively, with Mather occasionally taking advantage of Dimery's lose bowling.

The opening attack bowled 11 overs each, with Dimery having figures of two for 30 and Nuttall, who had kept a good line all afternoon having figures of one for nine. He also suffered from Mather being dropped from a simple catch at mid-off!

Dave Charlson and Steve Walsh came on as a double change, but to no effect, and the stand had reached 90 before misfortune struck Edgworth again.

Mather set off for what he thought, (and perhaps everyone but his partner thought), was an easy two. Kernick however was happy with a gentle single, and Mather was run out quite unnecessarily for 47. More tragedy was to follow when Kernick called Dobie for a quick single, but a direct hit had Dobie run out too!

Walsh was replaced by Nuttall who took a return catch to finally dismiss Nick Kernick for a workmanlike 46.

Locke and Birtwistle batted out the remaining overs and the innings closed at 141 for six in drizzle.

The tea interval was extended because of the rain, and when it finally stopped, Charlson and Williamson faced the Edgworth attack of Locke and Garner.

Rain once again forced the players off the field after four overs, and the score was 11 for zero. Some 40 minutes were lost before the covers came off, with 12 overs being deducted.

Locke and Garner continued with a wet ball, which affected Locke less than Garner. Bowling to a seven/two field demands good control and good fielders, and some of the accuracy disappeared probably because of the wet conditions.

The Atherton opening pair took advantage and put 31 runs on the board before Phil Williamson holed out to Mather at deep mid wicket off Garner.

This was the only success that Edgworth were to have. Dimery joined Charlson and they gradually "upped" the tempo so they were soon scoring at the rate of six runs per over.

Locke was the best of bowlers, but had nothing for 34 off 11. Garner with one for 50 off nine, followed by Birtwistle nothing for 37 off four, and Dobie nothing for 19 off 2.4 overs were cannon fodder to the Atherton pair who batted majestically throughout.

Charlson finished up with 70 not out and Dimery 52 not out when the target was reached in the 27th over.

Probably the most disappointed person playing was Phil West, who didn't have an opportunity to bat.