CLIFTON surrendered the Bolton Association's top spot after a dramatic game at Daisy Hill.

The Bolton Association leaders looked set for an easy win when they dismissed the home side for only 82.

But that was only half the story as Daisy Hill and in particular pro Chris Jones charged back with a tremendous bowling performance.

At one stage Clifton were 6-5 as Jones took eight wickets for 28 and it was only David Halliwell's gutsy knock of 26 that took them anywhere near the target in a final total of 73.

The promising John Hopkins was Daisy Hill's top scorer with 24, which in the context of the total runs scored was an impressive knock, while Halliwell proved his all round capabilities by picking up 4-14. That left Atherton to take over the leadership by virtue of their winning draw at Astley and Tyldesley.

Professional Andy Hall's superb unbeaten 102 put Atherton into a strong position at 185-9 - a total that A & T were never able to match once they had lost the wicket of Carl Gorse for 44. Steve Walsh was Atherton's top bowler with 5-31 while Charles Dagnall had 5-47 for Astley and Tyldesley.

Edgworth were another Association side to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

In a game against Elton that produced excitement and tumbling wickets the Bolton side suffered a calamitous collapse but then recovered to take the points.

Batting first, Edgworth were in charge of things as they took the score to 40 without loss but once they had lost their first wicket, the Elton bowlers dominated the game.

Gareth Williams picked up 6-49 and pro Darron Foy had 3-33 to leave Edworth somewhat deflated at 83 all out.

Victory should then have been within Elton's grasp but they could not cope with the bowling of Edgworth pro Nigel Young. He took 6-43 in 18 dramatic overs and with Chris Locke chipping in with 2-11 and Danny Beswick 2-5, Elton were dismissed for 69 and consigned to a 14 run defeat.

It could have been a similar story at Spring View had it not been for the fact that Golborne's batsmen were always too good for the home side's bowlers.

In contrast Spring View's total of 87 was brought about by the bowling of Ewan McCray and Chris Benbow.

McEwan had four wickets for 39 off 20 overs while the highly promising Benbow claimed 3-10.

In reply Golborne were never in trouble, pro Tony Kelly steering them to a comfortable seven wicket win with an unbeaten 30.

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