RUPERT Ladies A eased to victory in their much-anticipated Section A clash against Darcy Lever C&SC A.

Rupert scored 128 in their one first innings with Kerry Anderton scoring 41 and Ashley Minnion 28, but Darcy only managed a total of 127 in their two to lose by an innings.

In a disappointing game watched by a large crowd at Darcy Lever, Vickie Hill was Darcy’s top scorer in their first innings with 71.

But they were only allowed to score 56 in their second innings in which Sarah Gradwell was top scorer with 10 and three batters were dismissed without scoring.

On the adjacent pitch, defending champions Little Lever XI beat promoted Tobutt Sports Ladies by an innings.

Jenny Burrows and Rachel Costello each scored 57, Helen Roocroft scored 43 as Julie Bluer and Kirsty Atherton scored 32 and 31, respectively, whilst Tobutt Sports managed just 49 in the first innings and 34 in the second.

The result emphasised the difference between the top two sections and shows why promoted teams struggle to come to terms with life in Section A.

The Section B game between Lostock CMB and AB Ladies producd a remarkable reversal of fortune.

AB trailed 165-93 after the first innings then raised their game in the second, scoring 142 and dismissing Lostock CBM for 52 to win by17 runs.

Also in Section B, Future XI recorded their first win of the season, beating a depleted Little Cocker A team by an innings.

Tracy Waite scored 37 for Little Cockers, but with only eight players, they never had a realistic chance of winning.

It has been a fact in the past that draws are a rarity in rounders, but there were two in the first week and HiQ Fabs A produced another last week when they drew 127-127 against Apollo Ladies despite leading 75-57 after the first innings.

A major factor in the result was that HiQ gave 24 bad balls in the second innings compared with only seven conceded by Apollo.

Bolton Castle A were 40 runs ahead in the first innings against A&S Schofield.

Jackie Carter scored 25 and Christine Ayres 21 as A&S scored 112 in the second innings to give Castle some nervous moments but they held on to win by eight runs.

Darcy Blues recovered from a deficit of nine to beat Jacksons Motor Repairs143-142 in the closest Section F match of the week.

Section G also had a close encounter as Lever XI came from 22 behind to beat Heaton XI by four.

The first inter-league match of the season sees the Bolton Over-45s team take on their Bury counterparts at Little Lever Cricket Club on Friday.

Results

SECTION A: Little Lever XI 253(I) Tobutt Sports Ladies 83, Astra Ladies 101 Aspull Ladies XI 123, Darcy Lever C&SC A 127 Rupert Ladies A 128(I), The Grapes A 114 Westside XI 121, Claremont Ladies 104 Walkden CC A 156(D).

Section B: Northwest Hydraulics 202(I) Russell & Russell 157, Walkden CC B 188 Darcy Lever C&SC B 221, Future XI 156(I) Little Cocker A 126, The Queens Dream Team A 243(D) Hough Fold Ladies 87, Lostock CMB 217 AB Ladies 234.

Section C: Carestaff Solutions 302 Hannon Holmes 221, Hi Q Fabs A 127 Apollo Ladies 127, Davies XI 170(I) Vital Ladies 106, Egerton Ladies 138 Redgate Ladies 114.

Section D: Chorley Ladies 147 EIS Maidens 136, Accross Ladies 109 The Royal A 137(I), Adlington XI A 153 Bouncy Castles North West 130, Wallys Eleven 214(D) ABC XI 184.

Section E: Applejax 161 Baar Lambs 189, Hillbilys 210(D) The Queens Dream Team B 180, Capital 217 Allstars 260, Spring Green XI 212 Price's A 174, Bolton Castle A 146 A&S Schofield (Builders) 138.

Section F: Jacksons Motor Repairs 142 Darcy Blues 143, The New Inn 148 Horwich RMI 124, Nat'ural Style XI 192(D) Adlington Cricket Club 166, Rijo 42 146 LL Ladies A 174(D), Hulton Lane Ladies 175 Smiths XI 145.

Section G: Daves A 178 Highfield XI 147, Levers XI 187 Heaton XI 183, Stoneclough Ladies 235 Rupert Ladies 'B' 129, Heaton Ladies 122 Centredart Fireplaces 159, Lower Pools 142 F.S.S. 155(I).

ection H: Trafford 103 Hyway Ladies 210(I), Eagley Pike Ladies 129 Bolton Rugby Club Ladies 154, GLRC 107 DWR Ladies 124, Northwest Paper Supplies 137 P.Arthur Autos 131.

Section I: Scissor Sisters 212(I) Bolton Castle B 164, American Express 217(I) Lostock Roofing Ladies 193, Bishops Ladies 171(I) Scissor Sisters 151, Impression Ladies 256 Royal Bolton Hospital 217.

Section J: Farnworth Cricket Club 98 Little Hulton Cricket Club 184(I), Fernhill Farm Stables 160 Mr Greys 167(I), Top Bull Diamonds 121(D) Avnet Diamonds 98, Darcy Lever C&SC C 201 Craven Heifers A 172, Wallys Dollys 168 Dunscar Bridge Ladies 130.

Section K: Farnworth Social Circle CC 157(D) Little Cocker B 113, Daves B 199 Abitare 170, Horwich Town ‘A’ 142(I) Ladies Taverners 100, Westhoughton CC Ladies 272 St Teresas 193.

Section L: The Grapes B 175 M&D 220, Chadwicks Recycling 181(I) Westhoughton CC Vixens 116, Adlington XI B 201 Moorgate Ladies 195, Hilltops XI 209(D) Anderton XI 168.

Section M: Hi Q FABS 'B' 232 Rivington Ladies 246, Hunter Ladies 213 The Royal B 217, My2feet 211 Price's B 183.

Section N: TLC Ladies 174 BSFC Ladies 211(I,D), Tonge Fold XI 96 Darcy Lever C&SC D 179(I), New Inn XI B 224 Silver Birch Ladies 185, Saints & Synners 144 BCC Interbake 250, The Baymare Ladies 204 Craven Heifers B 295.

Section O: Bolton South Ladies 182(D) 25th Bolton Ladies 161.