LITTLE Hulton, pipped at the post by Walshaw in last season's championship chase, took a march on the rest as they achieved the only win of a damp start to the Bolton Association campaign.

Their six-wicket win over Edgworth was just the start they needed but it took a sparkling 96 not out from pro Ijaz Mahmood and a supporting 36 by Ian Gibson to win a race against the advancing rain to overhaul the visitors' total of 160-4.

The result was particularly harsh on Edgworth's Nick Kernick, who scored one of two centuries, 102 not out, on the opening day.

The other was scored by Jonathan Fielding, pro for champions Walshaw, who had to make do with a draw after rain washed out their game, and all of the others.

Fielding's 113 helped Walshaw to 170-7 off 38 overs, despite a 5-70 haul by Darcy's new arrival Dave Morris. In reply, the home side, without pro Davendra Bundela, who has not yet arrived in the country, made a reasonable start, hitting 63-2 off 20 overs before the umpires called it a day.

With the weather closing in after the tea break in all games, it was personal performances, rather than team results that were the talking points.

Astley & Tyldesley's new pro, West Indian paceman Andrew Richardson, was forced to adopt a shortened run after the umpires decided the light was not good enough for him to launch his quickies at the batsmen. He bowled 15 overs but conceded only 27 runs, yet in was left to the slower pace of captain Simon Nicklin and Steve Walsh to pick up wickets, with two each in Spring View's 68-5.

That was in reply to A & T's 133-5, newcomer Andrew Rostron top scoring with 38, Rob Bennett 22 and Chris Bullock 21, although Spring View were without pro Arindam Sarkar, another non-arrival from overseas.

Matthew Taylor has begun his eighth season as Adlington's professional and he and Eddie Haddon had to work hard to rescue the side from 20-4 chasing Elton's 156-9. They eventually took the score to 75-4 when the rain came, Haddon 37 not out and Taylor 16 not out.

Earlier Elton had reached 156-9, Chris Reed top scoring with 57, while Keith Wardle was Adlington's best bowler, taking 5-49.

Standish were frustrated as much as anyone as they ended on 72-2 chasing Clifton's 134-5. David Hamilton top scored for Clifton with 60 not out, and Mike Crookson, who took over as Standish pro after his amateur days with Westhoughton, opened up with 3-32.

Southworth sets up top score for Blackrod

BLACKROD produced the day's top score as they piled up 240-6 against Golborne.

Jack Southworth set the pace with a knock of 71 with Namajee 53, while the visitors were restricted to 85-4 off 26 overs when play ended.

Atherton almost matched the high score with their 236-3 against Daisy Hill. Teenager Karl Brown hit 88, Philip West 67 and new pro Lee Childs 43 not out, including three towering sixes.

Against that, Daisy Hill finished on 118-3 after 32 overs, Duncan Brooks 33, nephew Sean Brooks 32 and Woods 32.

BLACKROD produced the day's top score as they piled up 240-6 against Golborne.

Jack Southworth set the pace with a knock of 71 with Namajee hitting 53. The visitors were restricted to 85-4 off 26 overs when play ended.

Atherton almost matched the high score with their 236-3 against Daisy Hill. Teenager Karl Brown hit 88, Philip West 67 and new pro Lee Childs 43 not out, including three towering sixes.

Against that, Daisy Hill finished on 118-3 after 32 overs, Duncan Brooks 33, nephew Sean Brooks 32 and Woods 32.

LITTLE Hulton, pipped at the post by Walshaw in last season's championship chase, took a march on the rest as they achieved the only win of a damp start to the Bolton Association campaign.

Their six wicket win over Edgworth was just the start they needed but it took a sparkling 96 not out from pro Ijaz Mahmood and a supporting 36 by Ian Gibson to win a race against the advancing rain to overhaul the visitors' total of 160-4.

The result was particularly harsh on Edgworth's Nick Kernick, who scored one of two centuries, 102 not out, on the opening day.

The other was scored by Jonathan Fielding, pro for champions Walshaw, who had to make do with a draw after rain washed out their game, and all of the others.

Fielding's 113 helped Walshaw to 170-7 off 38 overs, despite a 5-70 haul by Darcy's new arrival Dave Morris. In reply, the home side, without pro Davendra Bundela, who has not yet arrived in the country, made a reasonable start, hitting 63-2 off 20 overs before the umpires called it a day.

With the weather closing in after the tea break in all games, it was personal performances, rather than team results that were the talking points.

Astley & Tyldesley's new pro, West Indian paceman Andrew Richardson, was forced to adopt a shortened run after the umpires decided the light was not good enough for him to launch his quickies at the batsmen. He bowled 15 overs but conceded only 27 runs yet in was left to the slower pace of captain Simon Nicklin and Steve Walsh to pick up wickets, with two each in Spring View's 68-5.

That was in reply to A & T's 133-5, newcomer Andrew Rostron top scoring with 38, Rob Bennett 22 and Chris Bullock 21, although Spring View were without pro Arindam Sarkar, another non-arrival from overseas.

Matthew Taylor began his eighth season as Adlington's professional and he and Eddie Haddon had to work hard to rescue the side from 20-4 chasing Elton's 156-9. They eventually took the score to 75-4 when the rain came, Haddon 37 not out and Taylor 16 not out.

Earlier Elton had reached 156-9, Chris Reed top scoring with 57, while Keith Wardle was Adlington's best bowler, taking 5-49.

Standish were frustrated as much as anyone as they left at 72-2 chasing Clifton's 134-5. David Hamilton top scored for Clifton with 60 not out, and Mike Crookson, who took over as Standish pro after his amateur days with Westhoughton, opened up with 3-32.