THE Bolton Association produced the first of what is inevitably going to be a series of twists and turns on the way to settling the championship issue.

Golborne and Elton started the day at the head of the table; both lost leaving the way open for Walshaw and Atherton to display their title credentials.

And with last year's top team Adlington producing one of the shocks of the day by winning at Golborne, it left the top five clubs separated by only 12 points.

That was before yesterday's league matches which changed things yet again but with no one side able to put together a consistent run of wins, the Association championship could be a guessing game until the last game of the season.

Walshaw held top spot going into yesterday's games following Golborne's demise after they had comprehensively beaten bottom club Astley and Tyldesley by six wickets. Bowlers Jonathan Fielding and Bret Collins set up the victory by dismissing A & T for only 105. Fielding collected 5-22 and Collins 4-33 while only Scott Henderson 23 and David Clare 18 could make any solid contributions for the home side.

When Walshaw batted, Robin Faulkner 33 and Fielding 24 led the victory parade which ended with a total of 107-4.

Atherton were comprehensive 96 run victors over Elton after producing a tremendous all round display.

First they posted a total of 200-9 with Ian Nuttall 34, Philip Wakefield 30 and pro Andy Hall 39 top scoring before their bowlers sparked off a procession of Elton batsmen back to the pavilion.

Nuttall capped a fine match taking 4-39 while Steve Walsh claimed 3-22 leaving Elton dismissed for 104, John Pemberton their top scorer with 20.

The Wigan derby ended with Spring View having the best of a draw despite both teams showing absences due to local holidays.

Rob Turnbull and Paul Matthews both hit 53 in a near century partnership to put View on their way to 217-6 but Standish hit back with a strubborn reply which saw Paul Hassan unbeaten on 65 not out in their 160-3.

Honours were also even at Clifton where Edgworth hit 219-7 with the home side 173-7 in reply.

Denver Thornton hit 64 in partnership with Mike Davies who finished with 59 for Edgworth while an unbeaten 41 from David Wild and 42 by Ian Morris helped Clifton stay in the game.

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