By Mikael McKenzie

PAUL Keenan fell seven runs short of his century as Westleigh recorded their first win of the season against Blackrod.

Opener Keenan hit nine fours and three sixes on his way to 93 and number three batsman Nick Sykes added 37.

Four middle-order batsmen also achieved double figures in Westleigh's total of 225-9, while Joe Speak took 4-34 for Blackrod.

Thusendra de Zoysa made 71 and Chris Sanderson added 32 as Blackrod attempted to chase down their target but a couple of late run-outs ensured they would fall nine runs short – all out for 216.

Jamal Griffith inspired Atherton with both bat and the ball on their way to a six-wicket victory over Adlington.

Ian Nuttall (4-34) and Griffith (3-53) breezed their way through the Adlington top order and they looked down and out at 76-8.

But superb tail-end batting from Jack Shovelton (50), his brother Tom (13) and Jon Howells (13no) – who came in at nine, 10 and 11 – helped Adlington reach152 all out.

Griffith led the Atherton reply, striking an unbeaten 73, while captain Paul Walsh scored 36no to leave Atherton fourth in the table.

Bottom side Darcy Lever slumped to another defeat at the hands of Golborne.

Gareth Hopkinson top-scored for Darcy with 23 as Jack Cullen (4-30) and Jake Waterworth (5-38) bowled them out for 126, helped by a fantastic fielding display with every wicket taken by a catch.

Johann Brohier and Tim Halliday spearheaded the Golborne reply, scoring 38no and 39 respectively to reach the target with the loss of six wickets – half of which were taken by Ather Abid (3-16).

Jimmy Cut starred with the bat as Astley and Tyldesley defeated Standish by seven wickets.

Standish skipper Sam Heeley top-scored with 67 as his side posted 203-7.

Cutt then finished two runs short of his century (98no) as the target A&T passed their target with the loss of only three wickets.

Worsley defeated Winton by three wickets.

Mike Seenan (52) and Will Driver (34) were the driving force for Winton as they scored 203-7, with James Kilner Winton's most notable bowler taking 4-46.

Schaughn Van Greunen (56), Nathan Rushton (44) and Danny Mcewan (34) led the reply to record the victory with three wickets to spare – despite Driver bowling 4-57.

Flixton recorded a comprehensive victory against high-flying Swinton Moorside.

Adrian Holmes (58), Ashley Perry (60) and Shay Parkinson (63no) all hit half centuries in an impressive total of 256-6.

But Swinton – who have been hitting big totals themselves of late – were all out for just 89 after failing to get to grips with the bowling of Prenelan Subrayen (4-16) and Connor De’Ath (3-33).

There were no other major upsets at the summit of the Bolton Association on Saturday as the top two – Edgworth and Walshaw – both recorded routine victories.

Leaders Edgworth remain 13 points clear breezing past in-form Lostock.

Brett Ernst led the way with the bat scoring 50 and David Gornall added 21 not out as they posted a total of 155-4.

Nick Bennett was the only batsman to play himself in, hitting 22. Lostock's low figures were mainly down to the tight bowling of Edgworth professional Chris Read (3-39) and Gareth Williams (3-27).

Walshaw remain hot on their heels in second place after a comfortable seven-wicket victory at Little Hulton.

Dawayne Sealy’s six-wicket haul tore through the host’s batting line up, while Darren Foy took 3-17 to dismiss Little Hulton for 102 – Shaukat Patel top-scored with 30.

Foy then turned his hand to the bat to score 36no, and he was joined at the crease by Gavin Nichol, who made an unbeaten 25, to reach their target with the loss of only three wickets.

Bury moved up to third in the table after beating Daisy Hill by two wickets in a stop-start game at St James Street.

Abid Younas (28), Naveed Yousuf (29) and captain Steven Chilton (23) all batted well as Daisy opened with 169-8. Sean Gibson impressed with the ball with figures of 5-48.

Bury responded at a moderate pace and Ashen Silva rode his luck, being fumbled first ball, before going on to score 58. Alex Breckin added 36.

Both batsmen were stumped by stand-in wicketkeeper Imtiaz Cheema, who was given the opportunity after James Mann was struck in the face by the ball and required medical attention. Fortunately no serious injury was caused.

But there was controversy at the end as the square leg umpire called a run out for the ninth wicket but after some consultation with his fellow umpire the decision was reversed.

The other umpire had noticed the keeper had taken the bails off with his gloves only, and without the ball in his hand, so the square leg umpire rescinded his decision to not out and one run scored, which was the winning run.

Results

Adlington 152, Atherton 153-4. Atherton won by 6 wkts.

Astley and Tyldesley 204-3, Standish 203-7. Astley and Tyldesley won by 7 wkts.

Daisy Hill 169-8, Bury 170-8. Bury won by 2 wkts.

Darcy Lever 126, Golborne 130-6. Golborne won by 4 wkts.

Edgworth 155-4, Lostock 152. Edgworth won by 6 wkts.

Flixton 253-6, Swinton Moorside 89. Flixton won by 164 runs.

Little Hulton 102, Walshaw 105-3. Walshaw won by 7 wkts.

Westleigh 225-9, Blackrod 216. Westleigh won by nine runs.

Worsley 204-7, Winton 203-7. Worsley won by 3 wkts.