DARCY Lever skipper Jimmy Walsh-Hill is targeting the Association Division title after his side toppled leaders Blackrod.

George Tipping and Joe Speak both scored 33 but Dominic Gavin took five wickets and Andrew Patel claimed four as Darcy bowled out Blackrod for 98.

Shaukat Patel hit an unbeaten 33 in reply as Darcy cruised to a six-wicket victory, which leaves them fifth in the table, 10 points behind league leaders Atherton.

“It was a tough day on a tough wicket,” said Walsh-Hill. “At one stage we had them at 41-6 and I thought we were going to bowl them out for next to nothing, but they ended up grinding out 98.

“It was a tough chase on that wicket but it was a very good win in the end.

“Dominic Gavin will obviously get the headlines but I must give a mention to Shaukat Patel, who bowled extremely well. He didn’t take a wicket but gave away only 38 runs from his 16 overs. He also top-scored with the bat.

“We are only eight points off top now so it is wide open for anybody to win it. There are only five points between ourselves and second so that is the very least we should be targeting now.”

Atherton took advantage of Blackrod’s slip-up to move above them into top spot with a win against Adlington.

Majid Majeed took 7-15 as the Huyton Road outfit bowled out their hosts for 96, while David Tantsis-Hall top scored with 23. Muhammad Baig (4-19) and Matthew Gallagher (4-28) led the bowling attack as Adlington were dismissed for 50.

Daisy Hill dropped to second after they lost at Little Lever. Anthony Hilton (29), Adil Nisar (30) and Harvey Wilson (32) all hit decent knocks as the Victory Road side batted first, although Stephen Hodgkinson’s 7-72 ensured they were dismissed for 165. Nisar took 7-19 as Daisy struggled in their reply, only Adnan Raees (31) occupying the crease for any length of time and they were bowled out for just 81.

Astley Bridge recorded a routine win over bottom side Golborne. Tim Halliday top scored with 31 as Golborne were bowled out for 107 thanks to Irfan Patel (4-12), Syd De Silva (3-40) and Yasir Rashid (2-27).

Chris Lane opened with 52 not out in reply and Matt Hargreaves scored 36 as Astley Bridge comfortably won by nine wickets.

Tonge picked up their fourth win of the season against Little Hulton. Craig Naylor opened with 32 before professional Tilaksha Malshan scored 57 to post a total of 159-9, Fida Hussain taking 4-45. Only Asim Bhatti (10) hit double figures for Little Hulton as Malshan (6-30) and Cameron Lucas (4-18) cleaned up for Tonge in their 98-run victory.

Results

Astley Bridge 108-1, Golborne 107. Asltey Bridge won by nine wkts.

Atherton 96, Adlington 50-9. Atherton won by 46 runs.

Blackrod 98, Darcy Lever 100-4. Darcy Lever won by six wkts.

Little Lever 165, Daisy Hill 81. Little Lever won by 84 runs.

Tonge 159-9, Little Hulton 61. Tonge won by 98 runs.