ELTON are back on top after a weekend of surprises in the title race.

Last week's leaders Atherton lost to Adlington then beat champions Walshaw who had a disastrous weekend, also going down to Daisy Hill.

Chris Read hit an unbeaten 98 as Elton beat rock bottom Lostock. The previous day pro Dexter Fitton scored 85 in a tied match with Blackrod.

Atherton are three points behind after overturning Walshaw's 173 with two overs left, Phil West and Philip Wakefield finished the job with unbeaten knocks of 54 and 39.

On Saturday, Atherton lost by 15 runs and were on the receiving end of an Association record-equalling feat by Adlington wicketkeeper Mick Flatters who claimed seven victims with four catches and three stumpings.

Karl Brown was unlucky to be on the losing side after hitting 67.

Walshaw started the weekend in third and finished in fifth. Danny Hornby scored 55 in vain against Atherton and 24 hours earlier Brett Collins' 5-81 was not enough to deny Daisy who had two top class performers.

Sean Brooks marked his first match back after a three-week recovery from an operation by scoring 98 not out. Walshaw's reply was constantly frustrated by Faisel Afridi's bowling as the pro finished with 6-57.

Afridi went one better in yesterday's 61-run win at Edgworth, taking seven wickets for a mere 23 runs and also scored 44 runs to cap a wonderful weekend for himself and his team who jumped to fourth and back in the title reckoning.

Darcy Lever are third after two wins over bottom two Lostock and Golborne.

Pro Devendra Bundela took 5-45 and hit 39 not out in a five-wicket win over Golborne and claimed 7-27 24 hours earlier when Jordan Thornley scored 44 in a winning reply of 73-1.

Nigel Geary hit form with an unbeaten 90 for Standish against Blackrod yesterday only for the game to be abandoned seven overs from the end.

Tonge's Adil Nisar took five Adlington wickets and then hit 68 not out as deputy pro for victorious Astley and Tyldesley.

A&T also beat Clifton on Saturday when five wickets each for Simon Nicklin and pro Gayan Pandey reduced Clifton to 74 all out in reply to A&T's 130-6.

Other fine performances included Barry Greenwood's 7-85 and Leo Cook's 76 in Golborne's win at Little Hulton on Saturday.