BLACKROD skipper Joey Pryle claims his side are feeling confident after victory over leaders Atherton saw them lose top sport in the Bolton League Association Division.

Jack Southworth scored 127 for the Vicarage Road outfit, who moved up to third, 10 points behind new leaders Daisy Hill with a game in hand.

Thushendra De Zoysa added 44 to Southworth’s opening knock to help the hosts to 239-8. Josh Gilluley (3-65) and Shaun Marsh (3-77) were the bowlers of note.

Muhammad Baig (31) and Callum Barlow (27) tried to inspire a reply with the bat but Waseem Hassan (5-44) and Joe Speak (4-58) were in fine form – bowling Atherton out for 149.

“It’s brilliant, we’re on a roll now,” Pryle said. “The last three games we have played have been against teams that have been top of the table and we have won them all. We are feeling confident.

“Jack (Southworth) really stepped up and showed his experience and did fantastic to get 127. We just want to enjoy the next few matches and see where we are with four games to go.”

Daisy Hill took advantage of Atherton’s loss with victory at home to Adlington. Wicketkeeper Mark Wood opened with a knock of 63 but the St James Street outfit were bowled out for 173.

Majid Majeed did the damage with the ball taking 5-57, before scoring a half century (57).

Jack Shovelton then added 45 but Stephen Hodgkinson began to turn the screw with the ball, bowling 7-50 as the visitors were bowled out 35 runs short.

Nick Fawcett’s century helped Darcy Lever pick up their second win of the season against Astley Bridge. The opener saw out the full 36 overs of the rain-reduced clash, scoring 106 not out as Darcy posted 199-5.

Nick Davies hit an unbeaten 29 in reply, but Astley Bridge were all out for 118.

Little Lever moved into the top half with a comfortable win at home to Little Hulton.

Visiting skipper Suleman Muhammad began the first innings with a decent knock of 27, but his side struggled to cope with the bowling of Ayaz Hanif (4-22), Muhammad Jahangir (3-28) and Adil Nisar (3-51) and were dismissed for 105. Adam Carter led Little Lever’s reply, scoring 36 as they won with seven wickets in hand.

Bottom side Golborne beat Tonge in their second successive win of the season.

Chinthaka Mahadurage hit an unbeaten 37 in Golborne’s 128 as Tonge bowlers Tilaksha Malshan (4-63) and Cameron Lucas (3-32) impressed.

But Tonge fell 43 runs short of their target after Jake Waterworth took 6-25.

Results

Astley Bridge 118-9 Darcy Lever 199-5, Darcy Lever won by 81 runs.

Atherton 149 Blackrod 239-8, Blackrod won by 90 runs.

Daisy Hill 173 Adlington 138, Daisy Hill won by 35 runs.

Little Lever 108-3 Little Hulton 105, Little Lever won by 7 wkts.

Tonge 87 Golborne 128, Golborne won by 41 runs.