THE champagne corks were popping at Atherton after they sealed the league and Cross Cup double for the first time in their history with a 59-run win against Standish at Higham Park.

Paul Walsh’s side overcame a period of nervy middle-order batting after Neil Bannister (47), Jimmy Damjanovski (34) and Jamar Griffith (28) had laid the foundations for a decent score.

A lower-order partnership of 30 between Matthew Lilley (20) and Tim Halliwell (five not out) steered the home side to 192-8 before Standish were dismissed for 133.

The victory meant Atherton claimed all 13 points with only four required at the start of play to clinch only the third title in their history – the other two coming way back in 1945 and 1990.

Andy Hill (33) top scored for Standish and Sam Callon hit 30, but the day belonged to Atherton with Griffith taking 6-74 and Damjanovski 4-40.

Elsewhere, Edgworth beat visitors Daisy Hill by six wickets. The Westhoughton side were all out for 135 with Paul Atherton top scoring on 76 while Mark Wood contributed 23.

Home pro Liam Watkinson took 6-72 and his father Mike claimed 4-53 before Edgworth scored 140-6, James Edmondson (43) and Ali Dickson (34no) both getting good scores.

Walshaw overcame Astley and Tyldesley by eight wickets at Sycamore Road, the visitors scoring 152-9 bating first with Michael Brooks hitting 53 and David Harrison 30. Back-from-injury Darren Foy got among the wickets on his return for Walshaw, taking 4-41 and Brandon Williams 2-20.

Danny Hornby then scored 46 and Jack McClung 67 as Walshaw rattled off 156-2.

Adlington came away from Little Hulton with a comfortable 81-run success after scoring 228-7.

Majid Majeed top scored for the visitors with 95 while Tom Foster (36) and Zak Millington (28) also got in the runs and home pro Azam Shah took 4-70.

The Salford men were dismissed for 147, Atif Ali Zaidi scoring 50 and Joe Mercer 31. Jack Shovelton took 5-60 and Majeed 3-39 for Adlington.

Meanwhile, Elton enjoyed a 57-run success at Golborne after hitting 228-6 thanks to David Murray (45), Steve Ward (42) and Chris Read (40).

Golborne were dismissed for 171 of which Jake Waterworth scored 46 as Elton captain Steve Filkins took 5-34 and Mark Goddard 3-20.

Darcy Lever set home side Blackrod a target of 171 to win after they were dismissed for 170, Mike Norris hitting 40 and Nel Patel 50 as pro Tushendra de Zoysa took 4-58 and Tony Tipping 2-39.

Blackrod got the runs with only three wickets down as de Zoysa scored 69 not out after registering five hundreds in his last six innings, and Joey Pryle hit 57.