GOLBORNE seem to be running away with the Bolton Association championship.

They stretched their lead at the top with a seven wicket win over one of their closest challengers Clifton, while Atherton went down to defeat by Elton in their Cross Cup semi-final rehearsal.

Andy Pennington was Golborne's matchwinner. He had the Clifton batsmen in all kinds of trouble as he picked up four wickets for 26.

That reduced Clifton to 137-8 and with Leo Cook back on the scene with 52, Golborne won the game with two overs to spare.

Atherton could not cope with the bowling of Gareth Williams and pro Darron Foy as they lost by nine runs in a low scoring game.

Chasing only 113, they were bowled out for 104, Williams claiming 5-26 and Foy 4-30 while Ian Nuttall was Atherton's top scorer with an unbeaten 27.

When Elton batted, Jonathan Fearick had 5-56 and Jonathan Hyde 4-43. Standish were also comfortable winners when they beat Daisy Hill by eight wickets.

Daisy, without broken thumb victim Chris Jones, were dismissed for 125, John Norburn and Chris Bannister both hitting 38 and Andy Cumberbatch taking 5-31.

Standish then looked no further than their on-form batsman Mark Ramsdale and he duly provided an unbeaten 57 in a total of 126-2.

British Aero got back to winning ways after a succession of drawn games, by beating Blackrod by four wickets off the last ball.

Blackrod were held to 118-8, Ian Wainman producing impressive figures of 3-25 off 21 overs.

Aero then replied with 122-6, Peter Litherland hitting 45 not out and a match-winning four off the final delivery of the day. Terry Southworth had 4-39 for Blackrod.

Edgworth stayed in contention with a five wicket win at the expense of Darcy Lever.

Nigel Young turned out to be their hero again, first of all taking 6-53 as Darcy were bowled out for a disappointing 105, then hitting an unbeaten 60 as his side recovered from 40-5 to a winning 109-5.

In the only draw of the day, Spring View had the better of things from their game at Adlington.

That came after they hit 208-4, Ian Green 76 and Mark James 52 putting on a partnership of 129.

Against that Adlington managed to pick up a bonus point as they reached 157-6, Andy Robinson top scoring with 38.

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