Little Hulton took a massive step to ensuring the Association championship fate is in their own hands with the 38-run defeat of their main challengers Walshaw.

They are now 22 points clear at the top having played one game more, but the ultimate destination of the title could be decided with two games over the next fortnight involving defending champions Spring View.

They leapfrogged Walshaw to go second by beating Astley and Tyldesley by nine wickets and next week they tackle Walshaw before facing Little Hulton the following week.

On Saturday Little Hulton produced two match-winning individual performances that would have graced any game.

The first came from Mark Penny, who hit six sixes and four fours in an innings of 60 to push his side's total to 176-8.

That did not look an unbeatable target, especially so when Walshaw reached 49-0 after ten overs. Three overs later, however they were 53-3 with top batsmen Rob Faulkner, Tony Kelly and Jonathan Fielding all back in the pavilion.

The damage was done by Andy Sutherland who finished with 7-46.

Spring View's success was built on the batting of Arindam Sarker and Iain Critchley. Chasing A&T's 170-7, Rob Bennett 65, the champions coasted to 171-1 with Sarkar 69 not out and Critchley 71 not out.

Blackrod's disappointing season continued with a home defeat by Standish, despite an unbeaten 62 from Paul Dickinson and 55 by Gary Speak. Standish pro Chris Humphries took 4-68 but it was his batting that won the game, hitting 104 not out to steer his side to a seven-wicket win.

Atherton pro Diwaker took 3-44 and followed it up with an unbeaten 59 to lead his side to victory over Adlington.

Mark Goddard's unbeaten 65 was the top score in Elton's 109-run victory over Daisy Hill.

Clifton made quick work of victory after dismissing Darcy Lever for 118. Andy Griffiths led the chase hitting 50 in Clifton's 119-1.

Golborne overwhelmed Lostock by 151 runs, Graham Marston leading the way with an innings of 71 while Aussie pro Brad Roach added 41 to help them to 216-8.

Tony Greenwood then tore through the home side's batting to take 8-24 and leave them all out for 65. And of that total Peter Flanagan hit 42.