THE Bolton Association will split into three groups of six for the last ever time this week as the league's final season approaches the home stretch.

The three groups will be made up from the team's position in the league table.

League-leaders Edgworth bounced back from last weekend's shock defeat to Atherton with a hard-fought victory away to Adlington.

Brett Ernst scored 62 and deputy professional Aneeq Hasaon hit 28 as the table-toppers' top-order batsmen showed attacking intent from the off.

Skipper Guy Haynes (46) formed a crucial partnership with Ashley Eastwood (29) late on to boost the total up to 239-9 – Sajid Khan was the most notable bowler taking 4-60.

Iain Critchley led the reply hitting 56 and Carl Drinkwater added 24 but tight bowling from Gareth Williams (3-34) had Adlington posting 191-7 – 48 runs short of the target – as the overs expired.

Second-placed Swinton Moorside have the Norvall brothers to thank for their narrow victory against in-form Lostock.

Chris (37) and Matt Norvall (70) put on a 120-run partnership to aid their side in posting a target of 208. David Flanagan and Rob Holgate did the most damage with the ball taking four wickets apiece.

Professional Simon Hanson led with the bat in reply scoring 78 and Connor Hicklin chipped in with 25. But man-of-the-match Matt Norvall turned his hand to the ball and bowled 6-69 to dismiss Lostock for 202 – six runs short of the target.

Both sides had already secured their top-six status.

Bury avenged their Cross Cup semi-final defeat against Blackrod four weeks ago by thumping them in their own back yard, winning by 147 runs.

The Radcliffe Road side are unbeaten in their last 10 league outings and that form shows no sign of stopping soon especially with Ashen Silva in their ranks – the professional knocked 104 not out this time round.

Simon Belston also hit 45 as Bury posted 240-7.

Thushendra de Zoysa was the only bowler of note with figures of 4-42.

Zak Burton top-scored with 26 in reply but the troublesome trio of Mohammed Janghir (3-18), Silva (3-23) and Neil Tong (3-28) dismissed the hosts for 113.

With a top-six spot already secured Atherton suffered a surprise eight-wicket defeat at home to Winton – who scraped into the middle-six of the table as a result.

Jamar Griffith hit 97 for Atherton who were bowled out for 170 – Will Driver (5-29) doing the damage with the ball.

Driver then turned his hand to the bat and hit a century not out to ensure his side escaped the bottom-six.

Luke Perry led Flixton to a home victory against Little Hulton to complete the top group.

Openers Perry (80) and Adrian Holmes (42) built a solid partnership to enable their side to post a healthy total of 213-7.

Hugh Husbands hit 53 in reply as Little Hulton were bowled out for 153 – Connor De’Ath constructed most of the damage with the ball taking 5-20.