Adlington retained top position thanks to a determined rearguard action against closest rivals Blackrod.

A run of 10 wins was halted, but Blackrod were denied the victory they probably deserved by Scott and King. Steven Ashworth (100) and Bailey (54) took BIackrod to 209-9 with Wardle (4-48) and Scott (3-37) the pick of the bowlers. Pryle (4-22) and Haydock had Adlington in trouble at 26-5 but they managed to hold out for 105-9.

Previously Adlington had triumphed at Elton by four wickets, and Blackrod had a six wicket win over Walshaw. Michael Hall scored 50 for Elton, and Wardle 34 or Adlington replying to 129-9.

Blackrod required only 114 to beat Walshaw after Southworth had 3-36 and David Farrar struck 44. Atherton continue to improve, beating Golborne by 89 runs, and dealing a blow to Clifton's hopes with a seven-wicket victory.

Lilley (57) and Bond (66) both recorded half centuries in a score of 229-7 against Golborne. David Kelly (5-31) and David Baines (5-24) did the damage after Mercer (32), Eddleston (37) and Betley (34) had given Golborne early hopes.

Atherton had no problems as Harrop (51no) and Perry (35) replied to Clifton's 101 all out. Harrop also took 3-23. Clifton again lost at A&T, the once dependable batting falling to 123 with Maguire (4-14) and Nestor (3-25) when A&T faltered Waterworth came to the rescue with 32no.

Darcy Lever dismissed Little Hulton for 90, Atkinson taking 6-29, and Nelish Patel (41no) and Satish Patel (38) easing Darcy to victory. Lostock are the latest team to feel the strength of Edgworth's revival. Dismissed for 94. They were beaten by five wickets as Birtwistle (26no) and Simpson (26) won the game. Steve Liversedge had earlier taken 4-27.

Daisy Hill were another of the strugglers to achieve a win reaching 139-3 in 36 over- replying to 137-8 by Spring View. Leeming had 46no to go with his 3-38 and Blinston took 3-31. Leeming had another good day against Lostock scoring 71 and taking 3-20. Lostock could only manage 74 replying to 152-8. Snape took 4-18 in the Lostock innings.

Standish were dismissed for 98 against a strong Golborne attack of Makinson (3-10), McMillan (3-10) and Ormshaw (4-37). Eddleston hit 41 as Golborne stormed to victory in 22 overs. In a low scoring encounter A&T beat Walshaw. Having recorded only 118, Peter Bennett (21) and Chapman (4-28), they dismissed the opposition for 106 with Bennett taking 4-26. Mears (30) and Hardman (26) with a mid-innings stand almost rescued Walshaw but fell 12 runs short.

Finalisation of the league table has again been made difficult by clubs failing to provide correct score sheets. The following results are outstanding -- July 23: A&T v Standish; August 6: Darcy Lever v Elton, Edgworth v Little Hulton.