BLACKROD climbed to fourth in the Bolton Association table with victory against in-form Daisy Hill.

Bowling duo Stephen Hodgkinson and Neil Tong had been instrumental in Daisy’s four-match winning streak in all competitions, and were equally effective against Blackrod.

Hodgkinson bowled 4-33 and Tong took 4-42 as the Vicarage Road side were bowled out for 99.

Thushendra De Zoysa top scored with 25, before he turned his hand to the ball to produce figures of 5-21.

Joe Speak (4-51) also impressed with the ball as Blackrod stunned their hosts, bowling them all out for 85.

Daisy skipper Steven Chilton top scored with 32, but it was the point when his wicket fell that his opposite number Joey Pryle knew victory was within reach.

Pryle said: “Their captain Steven Chilton can win a game on his own and was in for a while.

“We had Thushendra De Zoysa and Joe Speak bowling in tandem he had to gamble on one of the shots and we took him.

“Thush actually bowled a hat-trick and he thinks it could be the first hat-trick of his career.

“A score of 99 is always difficult to defend. We knew we had to battle in the second innings and at the break a couple of the younger lads had given up.

“The break was all about installing confidence and belief that we could do it.”

Elsewhere, Little Hulton captain Suleman Muhammad hailed batsman Tajamal Khan for his performance against Golborne.

Waqar Khan struck 29 before Tajamal Khan hit an unbeaten 71 as the Old Vicarage Ground outfit racked up a total of 187 before they were dismissed.

Shahid Mahboob was the only bowler of note, taking 4-76.

Mahboob fell one run short of his half-century when he picked up the bat but then the rain fell with Golborne stranded on 91-6, meaning Little Hulton were crowned victors by the Duckworth-Lewis Method.

Muhammad said: “Tajamal Khan was outstanding – he hit six sixes and lost about three or four balls, they were huge sixes.

“He also fielded brilliantly by stopping a couple of boundaries. He is super fit and has excellent diving skills, if anyone watches him field they will see his talent straight away.

“We still have all of those top teams still to play and we are very hopeful we can replace them and finish in the top three.”

Meanwhile, Tonge recorded a shock win at home to league leaders Atherton.

Tilaksha Malshan bowled 6-19 as Atherton were dismissed for just 47.

Craig Naylor (23 not out) and Sam Hardman (25no) led the reply which was secured for the loss of only one wicket.

Adlington took full advantage of Atherton’s slip up to rise to the top of the table by beating Astley Bridge.

Bowlers Jack Shovelton (3-36), Majid Majeed (3-29) and Iain Critchley (4-15) had lots of joy on the wicket which saw the Sharples Park side dismissed for 86.

Millen Patel was the only batsman of note, hitting 22.

Shovelton then spearheaded the reply, opening with a knock of 33 as the target was achieved inside 17 overs with seven wickets to spare.

Results

Astley Bridge 86, Adlinton 92-3. Adlington won by 7 wkts.

Daisy Hill 85, Blackrod 99. Blackrod won by 14 runs.

Little Hulton 187, Golborne 91-6. Little Hulton won on D/L method.

Little Lever 202-9, Darcy Lever 101-3. Result to be confirmed.

Tonge 48-1, Atherton 47. Tonge won by 9 wkts.