2nd XI Review

Atherton snatch title initiative from Adlington's weary grasp THE Second XI title is now in the hands of Atherton after winning both games at the weekend as long time leaders Adlington were defeated by Clifton on Saturday.

Atherton lost five wickets in reaching Daisy Hill's 125 all out. McLaughlin scored 51 after Greaves took three early wickets 29. Another 20 points were pocketed at Spring View on Sunday.

Alan Green (50) and Williams (35 no) managed to take the home side to 141-5, but Cole (64 no) and Matthew Bond laid the foundation for a seven wicket win.

They now hold a six-point lead over Adlington with a game in hand. A & T continue the chase, Spring View again failing victim to one of the top sides. Dismissing the opposition for 91, A & T had their own problems but Waterworth with 36 saw A & T home by five wickets.

John Green had set a few alarms ringing with 4-32, following his 30 when View batted. In the Spring View innings McGuire took 4-22. Lostock were their next victims. Having posted 147-9, Bennett 48 and Reynolds 38, they bowled Lostock out for 68, of which Mike Raynor made 29.

Kevin Nestor took 4-14 and there were three wickets Raynor and Eccleshare when A & T batted. Adlington were well beaten by Clifton for whom Whittaker scored 111 in a total of 189-4.

Stephen Thorpe then dismissed the top five batsmen (5-20) in his allocated overs. Only determined batting by Scott (36), Woosey (32) and Butterworth (33) enabled Adlington to pick up a third bonus point at 147 all out.

However, Adlington stormed back on Sunday to beat Walshaw by 151 runs. Eighteen-year old Mark Robinson with 162 no highlighted a mammoth 253-3. Robinson also took 2-11 and Walshaw were dismissed for 102. Boden (3-18) and Whitehead (4-35) took the main bowling honours.

Blackrod slipped up on Sunday, defeated by 77 runs at Little Hulton. Ogden was again in form with 45 and Perry made 37 in an all out total of 173. Cooke then took 4-35 as BIackrod were dismissed for 96. In the Little Hulton innings, Fairbrother, Ashworth and Walker took three wickets.

The previous day Blackrod had poured more misery on the under-achieving Lostock side. Rooted firmly in the bottom two, the team that almost won the title last year were dismissed for only 40.

Little Hulton look favourites for the "caps" competition defeating Elton to make it three wins out of three, although they did have difficulty beating Elton. Chasing only 89 for victory they lost nine wickets with Platt (41) and Mullineaux (19) producing a ninth wicket stand to ease home.

After Bushell had made 33, Cooke took 7-22 and then Zaheer had 5-35 as Elton just failed to bring off a surprise victory.

Clifton fell to a shock defeat at Darcy Lever. Requiring 108 to win, the in form side were bowled out for 92, to which Rawlinson contributed 40 no. He also starred with the ball (4-17) together with David Jennings (4-39). However, Alex Lee upstaged them both with 6-25. Darcy's batting failed again on Sunday scoring only 90 in reply to Golborne's 163-7.

Mercer topped scored with 33 with Marston (30) and Eddleston (27) offering good support. R Urbani (4-36) was the main wicket taker with two each for Makinson, Robinson and Ormshaw.

Another win for Edgworth sees them consolidate their mid-table position. Standish totalled 159, Brady (38) and Critchley (32) and Mather taking 3-21. Wayne Birtwistle then ensured victory by two wickets with 34. Standish (113-8) played out a disappointing draw with Daisy Hill (153-9). Dennett made 46 and Cunliffe 3-24 for Standish and 30 for Mick Leeming.