SECOND placed Clifton kept up their remarkable sequence of results as champions-elect Walshaw took a day off on Saturday.

They chalked up another win with their four wicket success at Adlington, which means they have only been beaten once over the last nine matches, the highlight being last week when they became the first and only team to beat Walshaw so far this season.

At Adlington it was the Clifton bowlers who set up the victory chance dismissing the home side for 104, Gary Tonge collecting five wickets for 34 and pro Steve Holt 2-28.

Matthew Taylor was Adlington's top scorer with 32 and was also their top bowler, taking 4-45, his first wicket being his 100th for the season.

It couldn't stop Clifton however who went on to score 105-6, Tony Kelly 38, wicketkeeper Gareth Cross 24 and Paul Weir 18.

Astley and Tyldesley went close to springing a surprise as they failed by only nine runs to overhaul Spring View's 200-7 total.

Rob Turnbull's 78, after being dropped off the first ball, was the major contribution to the Wigan side's score with Chris Rudd adding 54 and Nigel Geary 31, Nigel Doyle taking 6-66.

In reply Dave Clare hit 47 for A & T and with John Punchard scoring runs freely the victory chance looked on. Yet a run out cost Punchard his wicket after he had scored 68, the rate slowed and A & T finally closed at 191-7 for a share of the points.

Chris Locke earned Edgworth winning points against Standish after picking up a five wicket haul.

Locke collected five wickets for only 25 runs reducing Standish to a disappointing 89. In reply Edgworth eased to 90-7, Standish pro Sarker also a five wicket man for 48 runs.

Elton's Paul Kay had Little Hulton on the ropes as he took five for 32 off 19 overs.

With Chapple picking up 3-22 Little Hulton were skittled for 72 leaving Elton to go on and secure a six wicket win, Murray unbeaten on 26 and pro Arothe 24.

Eighteen-year-old Mark Penny hit an unbeaten 101 - his second century in senior cricket - to steer Daisy Hill to a commendable five wicket win over Atherton.

Batting first Atherton reached 178-9, David Charlson and Ian Nuttall joint top scoring with 44 and Jonathan Fearick adding 32.

Penny, who had picked up two wickets earlier, made light work of what looked to be a tough target playing his shots all round the ground in a display that makes him one of the Association's most talented prospects.

Darcy Lever last pair Dominic Gavin and Ben Cruikshank put on 71 to haul their side to a respectable 177-9 after Geoff Stockton had wreaked early havoc taking 4-29.

In the end, however, the Golborne batsmen had little trouble reaching the target as Graham Marston's 78 and captain Ian Seddon's unbeaten 66 put them on the way to their five wicket win.

Blackrod recovered from a sticky 23-4 to record a five wicket win at Lostock.

The home side had only mustered 108-8 but after early wicket successes looked likely to pick up winning points.

That hope was wrecked by Nick Speak who steered Blackrod to what, in the end turned out to be a comfortable victory with an unbeaten knock of 61.