THE persistent rain again caused the Breightmet and Halliwell Winter Rounders Leagues to cancel their matches because of waterlogged pitches.

The John Smith's Farnworth League, however, again managed to play the scheduled matches, for the most part in sunshine and on pitches in reasonable condition.

In Section 'A', The Grapes picked up their first points of the season.

Having been just eleven runs ahead at the break, the Grapes' nine players went on to take a satisfying victory by a 31-run margin over Royal Hotel.

Whilst Royal may wish to blame the referee for their defeat, they had to accept that they carelessly threw away several rounders, without which the result might have been very different.

Second placed Imago were four runs ahead of league leader sDarcy Lever at the interval but Darcy turned the match around in the second innings to win by 25 and maintain their unblemished record.

Adlington started one point ahead of opponents Bradbury and increased the difference to three points with a 14-run victory whilst in the remaining Section 'A' fixture, Markland pulled level with Siddons in joint third place by beating them by 24 runs.

Section 'B' leaders Hanson retained their perfect record thanks to a walkover against White Horse (Kearsley) who could not muster enough players to give them a game.

Carl Chapman are joint second, four points off the lead, and beat Bolton Motor Bodies by 26 runs.

The Flag, also join second with ten points, had a comfortable innings win over Harper Green.

They have however, have an outstanding match against ASAP Ladies, so they can live in the hope of being just two points behind the leaders.

ASAP Ladies had a comfortable win over White Horse (Little Lever) and if they were to win their outstanding game against The Flag, they would also have a share of second place.