DAISY Hill rose to second in the Bolton Association following a dramatic late win at home to Astley Bridge.

Adnan Raees (4-27) and Stephen Hodgkinson (4-53) impressed with the ball as the Sharples Park side were bowled out for 112.

Andrew Mills top scored with the bat with 24.

In the second innings Syd De Silva tried to make the chase as tough as possible, bowling 5-27.

Raees (32) and Hodgkinson (24) also shone when they turned their hand to the bat, but wickets were falling frequently and when the final batsman entered the crease Daisy had a score of 107-9.

Neil Tong and Luke Lundy were charged with getting the six runs required to win, and Tong’s two boundaries did so, lifting Daisy to within three points of league leaders Atherton.

Little Hulton hosted the table toppers but could do nothing to stop their winning streak continuing.

David Tantsis-Hall (34) was again among the runs and Muhammad Baig knocked a half-century as Atherton were bowled out for 167.

Fida Hussain was the only bowler of note, taking 5-43.

Sajawal Khan hit an unbeaten 25 in reply but Baig (7-42) and Matthew Gallagher (3-68) ensured Little Hulton were dismissed for 111.

Blackrod occupy third place in the table after their simple victory away to Tonge.

Alex Rodzoch was the only Tonge batsman to hit double figures, striking 23. A total of 32 extras were also added on to boost the score to 77 as they were bowled out.

Joe Speak did most of the damage with the ball, taking 7-33.

George Tipping (24no) and Thushendra De Zoysa (22) led the reply which was seen off with two wickets down.

Darcy Lever picked up their first win of the season away to Golborne. The visitors got off to a strong start as Chris Fenn (54) and Jake Cooper (32) put on a 78-run first-wicket partnership.

Freddie Oliver also added 19 as Darcy posted a score of 182-9 after the 50 overs.

Jamie Foster, Shahid Mahboob and Jake Waterworth took three wickets apiece.

Golborne struggled with the bat until skipper Tom Pantak entered the crease in the middle order to knock 41.

But with little support Pantak’s side were bowled out for 92 – Shaukat Patel (5-27) and Dominic Gavin (3-35) doing the damage with the ball. Golborne remain at the foot of the table and are the only club in the Association yet to taste victory.

Little Lever have put their poor start to the season behind them as they completed back-to-back victories against Adlington.

Curtis Anderton (4-22), Adil Nisar (3-24) and Mohammed Khan (2-1) formed a fierce bowling attack which had the Huyton Road side bowled out for 47.

Elliott Lee was the only batsman to hit double figures.

Nisar knocked 17 not out when he was called upon to bat and Ayaz Hanif hit 23 not out as the target was achieved inside 37 minutes with nine wickets remaining.

Results

Daisy Hill 116-9, Astley Bridge 112. Daisy Hill won by 1 wkt.

Golborne 92, Darcy Lever 182-9. Darcy Lever won by 90 runs.

Little Hulton 111, Atherton 167. Atherton won by 56 runs.

Little Lever 48-1, Adlington 47. Little Lever won by 9 wkts.

Tonge 77, Blackrod 78-2. Blackrod won by 8 wkts.