BOLTON League club Atherton clinched the Division Two title with a close-run victory at home to Haydock.

Atherton won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 171 in 38 overs, with Tim Halliwell (40), Jack Welch (29) and Matt Nolan (26) all in the runs.

Karl Pennington took 4-37 for Haydock.

In reply, Haydock batted steadily with Adam Pennington scoring 80 not out, but he ran out of partners and the visitors were bowled out 15 runs short on 157.

James Mulqueeny (3-13) and Matt Nolan (2-18) were the pick of the Atherton bowlers.

In Division One league leaders Daisy Hill swapped places with second-placed Burscough after defeat at School Lane.

The home side chose to bat first and reached 215-6 off 40 overs. Daisy's bowlers toiled against the excellent batting of Brendan Domigan (76) and Gary Lee (52) with Ste Kenny and Joe Leeming picking up two wickets apiece.

In reply Daisy Hill could only reach 158-9, captain James Mann top-scoring with 36. With two league games left Daisy Hill now trail Burscough by eight points and anything could still happen.

In the other First Division fixture Golborne hosted Blackrod. The visitors batted first and were all out for 161, with Tom Mather (68) the top scorer and David Szostok taking 4-26 for the home side.

Golborne then collapsed to 78 all out off just 23 overs, unable to cope with the excellent bowling of Daniel Cooke (3-8 from five overs) and Daniel Robinson, who bowled 2.2 overs and took 3-2. Nathan Mayor also impressed with 3-20.