THE Bolton League team were denied a fifth successive Axford Trophy triumph against the Bolton Association when rain caused Monday's clash at Darcy Lever Cricket Club to be abandoned.

In the last clash in the cup's present format, the Bolton League XI had looked favourites to make it five-in-a-row before the heavens opened and the umpires were left with no alternative to abandon the tie.

Batting first, the Bolton League posted 240-8 with an over lost due to an early rain interruption.

Star of the show for the League was Farnworth's Adil Nisar who hit 108 in a superb innings that included 10 fours and three sixes before Edgworth's Josh Fallows claimed his prize wicket.

Nisar helped put on a second-wicket partnership of 75, with Sajid Khan, of Little Lever, chipping in with 33.

Nisar's skipper at Farnworth, Simon Booth, later hit three sixes in an unbeaten knock of 28.

Adlington's Majid Majeed had the best figures of the Association bowlers with 3-34 from his nine overs, while Jamar Griffith, of Atherton, returned figures of 2-32.

The reply started badly for the Association when Edgworth's Brett Ernst was dismissed in just the second over by Farnworth Social Circle bowler Dave Mather.

Things got even worse in the next over when Astley Bridge's David Cryer (2-5 from two overs) took the wickets of Fallows and Griffith in consecutive balls to leave the Association reeling at 7-3.

Majeed came in and hit a four and a six for an unbeaten 10 before the rain returned and the players returned to the pavilion.

With no prospect of it abating, the match was abandoned with no result at 5.45pm.