WALSHAW proved yet again they can win a match from anywhere as they took full advantage of second placed Darcy Lever's day off.

The Bury side moved 17 points clear to close in on their fifth Bolton Association league title in seven years.

They had to survive a scare when they lost their first six wickets for 65.

But this classy outfit has an uncanny ability to overcome obstacles, which gives them an undeniable air of champions.

Their saviour on this occasion was an unlikely figure. Walshaw were struggling badly for runs to set their visitors a reasonable target before David Mills took to the crease.

The long-serving player had never scored a half century or more in 10 seasons with the club.

But when they needed him to produce, after losing their first six wickets for just 65 runs, he hit 58 and, together with Adam Ingram, who scored 17, he pulled Walshaw's innings together to finish on 169.

Blackrod pro Will Halton did the damage with 6-83, but his opposite number, Jonathan Fielding, went one better with 7-32 to ensure Blackrod got nowhere near the target, despite a decent 42 by Jabbir Namajee.

It was a good day all round for Walshaw with Fielding taking his 100th wicket of the season and Jason Whitaker scoring his 1,000th run.

Standish are virtually certain of finishing in the third spot they have occupied for most of the season.

It was one way traffic at Astley and Tyldesley where Standish romped to a 135-run victory.

And, for once, they did it without a starring role by their supreme professional, Glen Batticciotto.

His wicket was taken early on but A&T's relief at dismissing him soon turned to frustration as the Standish found matchwinners elsewhere. Michael Crookson hit a superb 121 and Danny Chadwick scored a half century as they set a target of 256-7.

And Dave Bowden went about finishing the job in style, taking 6-40 as A&T were dismissed for 119, Chris Bullock hitting 36. Earlier, A&T captain Simon Nicklin took 4-55.

Fourth placed Atherton were far too strong for a Clifton team which is one place below them but whose resistance, pro Chinthaka Jayasinghe apart, disintegrated without a trace.

Jayasinghe scored 77 of his side's 107 which Atherton knocked off in 30.1 overs and with six wickets to spare.

Atherton pro Yogi Golwarkar took 6-33 and David Baines 3-57 before the pro was 27 not out, Neil Bannister hit 32 and Paul Keenan 31 to win.

Adlington continued their upward momentum with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Spring View.Matthew Taylor took 4-14 as View were all out for 98 before Andrew Robinson hit an unbeaten 36 and Taylor 32 not out in Adlington's 100-3.

Lostock are enjoying a successful end to their troubled season.

The bottom club recorded their third victory in their last four home games with a fine show against Golborne.

Danny Cockton hit a half century, James Cregan scored 40 and pro Parvez Suma 41 as Lostock set a tough target of 206-9. Golborne fell 10 runs short of victory, mainly due to the bowling of Suma who took 6-93.

The star of the day, however, was on the losing side. Deputy pro Mark Price has come out of retirement to play for Golborne and showed he has lost none of his ability by following up an eight-wicket haul last week with 5-41 and 116 runs on Saturday.

Golborne made a game of it after being 63-8. Price got Lostock's nerves going and Andy Riley came in at number 10 and scored an unbeaten 45.

Elton sealed a tight contest at Edgworth when they hit the winning runs with just 10 balls remaining.

The visitors looked to have the game in the bag when they took five quick wickets before Edgworth could get into their batting stride.

But the home side recovered with wicketkeeper Liam Sumpter showing his batting prowess with 67 and Guy Haynes hitting a resilient 57.

Matt Johnson was the pick of the Elton bowlers with 3-36.

In reply, John Pemberton was the visitors' top batsman with 62. Pro Dexter Fitton added 35 and Dave Murray chipped in with 29 while Chris Mather took 3-44.

David Platt and Gary Garner starred with the bat as Little Hulton beat Daisy Hill by eight wickets.

Sean Brooks was unbeaten on 78 as Daisy set a testing target of 198-7.

But there was no stopping Platt and Garner who hit 92 and 72 not out.