Before we leave behind the Vimto Trophy, it seems worth mentioning other performances that will remain a permanent record within the Association archives.The nature of the Competition meant outstanding individual performances were rare, but in addition to the centuries recorded in the previous article, the following batsmen reached three figures.

1987. Harry Andrews (Little Hulton) v. Daisy Hill - 158

1989. Steve Dearden (Walshaw) v. Bolton St. Andrews - 102

1992. Martin Spencer (Standish) v. Blackrod - 136

1993. Neil Leeming (British Aerospace) v. Astley & Tyldesley -110

With the opportunity to bowl only eight overs, and sometimes fewer, the bowlers had little chance to shine. However, Stephen Liversedge (Edgworth), Steve Mackey (Atherton) and Phil Worthington (Bolton) all managed to record six wicket hauls, but the bowling performance of the Competition belongs to Chris Barnes of Spring View in 1996. With Adlington apparently cruising to a first round victory, Barnes came on as the sixth bowler and dismissed eight batsmen for 29 in only 6 overs. Duncan Brooks (Atherton) ran him close as the most economical bowling figures of 8-4-5-5 against Edgworth in 1987

Atherton were the most successful club during the Competition in all departments, registering the most ties played, 33, the most wins, 22, the most runs scored, 4660, and leading wicket takers 247.

The honour to be the highest scorer was also close with nine batsmen all scoring in excess of 500 runs. Not surprisingly, two Atherton players figure in the list. Top scoring batsman (694) was Howard Brooks, who added 171 runs with Edgworth to the 523 posted in Atherton’s cause. Phil West (506) is the second Atherton player on the over 500 table. British Aerospace contributes three names, although only Peter Litherland (510) scored all his runs at the club. Neil Lawless scored the majority of his runs at Blackrod (497), but just crept over the line with 29 for British Aerospace. John Norburn’s runs were shared between the planemen (258) and Daisy Hill (320).

Andrew Mullaney and Graham Marston also boosted their totals with runs for Daisy Hill, 11 and 31, before going on to register 534 and 557 with successful stints at Golborne. Geoff Griffiths who figures significantly in the Association all-time scorers list, to be discussed in a later article, scored his runs at Clifton (496) and Little Hulton (84) and finishes third behind Brooks and Marston. Another Little Hulton player, David Ainsworth (105) boosted his total with 459 runs scored for St.Andrews / Bolton.

As discussed, the bowlers were restricted mostly to eight overs. Graham Marston topped this list. His 45 wickets for Golborne were augmented by 2 for Daisy Hill enabling him to stay clear of Atherton’s Steve Walsh with 42.

These two were well clear of Chris Locke (31) of Edgworth and Paul Brown, (30) of Atherton with not many more exceeding 20 wickets.