DAISY Hill secured derby-day bragging rights against Atherton to replace their title rivals at the top of the Association Division.

Skipper Calum Barlow led by example for Atherton as he scored a half-century with the bat.

Stuart Marsh also added 29 but Neil Tong (5-73) spearheaded a bowling attack which had the visitors dismissed for 144.

Daisy captain Steve Chilton tried to replicate his opposite number but his wicket tumbled just before reaching the 50-run mark, before Adnan Raees added a quickfire 36.

Matthew Gallagher starred with the ball in the second innings, producing figures of 4-52, but it was the St James Street outfit which saw out a three-wicket win to leapfrog Atherton into top spot.

“It is one of those games where neither side wants to lose,” Chilton said. “Atherton are only one mile away from us so they are out biggest rivalry away from Westhoughton.

“Back in the old Association that was our game of the season, kind of like the Old Firm derby.

”Every year it is a game you don’t want to lose; you could see that in their skipper Calum Barlow’s performance, batting 21 overs to grind out 50.

“The league is still anybody’s to win. Adlington are free falling at the moment but Tonge are creeping up so you never know.

“We have only just passed the halfway point so there is still a long way to go. We just want to turn up every week and beat whichever team is put in front of us. All we are thinking about is the next game.

“We know we have the ability. We have played three former Prem sides this season and beat them all.”

Meanwhile, Blackrod sit three points behind Daisy in third after beating bottom-of-the-table Golborne.

Paul Swindlehurst dug Blackrod out of a huge hole with a magnificent knock of 79 after his side were struggling on 45-5.

Wicketkeeper Zak Burton provided the support, scoring 24 to boost the tally up to 142 before they were bowled out.

Shahid Mahboob (4-49) and Jake Waterworth (3-37) did the damage with the ball.

Golborne started the second innings superbly and looked on track for a shock victory with a healthy score of 89-5. Opener Ciaran Vesey was the key batsman, hitting an unbeaten 26.

But a terrible late collapse, created by the bowling of Thushendra De Zoysa (4-40) and Joe Speak (5-25), ensured the hosts were bowled out 31 runs short of the target.

Darcy Lever beat Adlington by one run in a thrilling encounter.

Chris Fenn (26) and Andrew Patel (53) scored high as Darcy racked up a 166-9 total.

Jack Shovelton (2-33), Majid Majeed (3-73) and Iain Critchley (3-40) all impressed with the ball, before professional Majeed struck 54 when he turned his hand to the bat. Steven Rawlinson also added 31.

Darcy were punished for a slow bowling rate, meaning Adlington were awarded 20 bonus points.

That set up a nervy finale which went down to the final over, but Dominic Gavin (3-33) bowled the final two wickets without giving away any runs to secure the narrowest of wins.

Shaukat Patel (4-54) and Alex Lee (3-30) also impressed with the ball.