ROUNDERS: BLACKROD CC Ladies’ early-season winning run was ended in dramatic style by Rupert Ladies C.

Rupert took a 26-run lead in the first innings of their Section O rivals clash to lead 104-78, but as Blackrod hit back in the second innings Rupert had to hang on to win by two runs.

A total of 18 teams remain unbeaten in the league after the opening four weeks of matches, with 16 yet to pick up a point. However, Section M’s bottom club, Howarth Roofcraft, beat section leaders Bolton Wyresdale Ladies in the Horwich Shield first round.

25th Bolton Ladies are surprise unbeaten leaders of Section P and have hit form after several years of struggling.

After a shaky start to their time in the league, Bolton Lads and Girls Club have won their last three games.

Dobbies (Dollies) and Pink Ladies initially looked like dominating the section, but may now face tough competition.

The Section K match between Grapes B and Choices Youth Support produced a nerve-jangling finish with Grapes winning 118-117.

The Section C game between Widdows Mason XI and Apollo Ladies was a remarkably low-scoring affair with just 138 runs in the match.

In the first innings, Widdows scored 37 and Apollo 48, which was low by most standards. But in the second innings, Widdows Mason were dismissed for 33, leaving Apollo a target of 23 for victory. But they were denied as Widdows blitzed them for 20 runs to win 70-68.

In stark contrast, the Section C game between CRS A and Horwich RMI produced 628 runs. CRS scored 140 in the first innings and Horwich replied with 141. Being so close, the home side were reluctant to declare in their second innings and went on to add 223, led by Jodie Worthington (44) and Sandra Drew (36).

This may well have demoralised Horwich as Andrea Finney, who had scored 52 in the first innings, scored just 12 in the second, and CRS dismissed them for 124 and what finally looked like a comfortable 363-265 win.

The junior and intermediate interleague teams are looking for new blood for their teams to face Bury on June 4 and 11.

Juniors (under 18) are invited to attend practices at Darcy Lever CC on Sundays, May 23 and 30, at 11am, while intermediates (aged 18-25) will practise at Hulton Lane playing fields from 6.30pm on Friday, May 21. The seniors (open age) and over-45s will practise on Sunday at 12pm on Barlow Park.

Results, fixtures and tables in Wednesday's The Bolton News