THE SIDES in 5th and 6th place of the Bolton Association - Adlington and Little Hulton - met at the Old Vicarage Ground on Saturday.

Before the match, the gap between them was 22 points. At the end, Adlington's 8-wicket victory extended it.

Adlington won the toss and put Little Hulton in -- a Little Hulton side who only had 10 players due to Andy Whitton's decision to retire before the match!

Pakistani professional Ijaz must have been shocked as the first ball of the match from McNally flew past his head. As Ijaz already is known as a player who does not hang around, this must have settled matters for him on how to play.

The outcome? A slogged skier off Taylor being well caught by Eddie Haddon.

Darren Mullineux's dismissal at 12-2 brought in Mark Penny who looked in fine form. He was finally dismissed by that cricketing rarity -- run out off a no ball!

He played a ball from Taylor, went for the single and was run out for 14, leaving Little Hulton 41-3.

Always a man for a crisis, Mike Edwards came in at 64-5 and promptly cleanly hit his side out of trouble. He started with two 6s and followed that with a further five 4s in his 33.

All this time, opener Paul Craig was playing a fine innings for his side. When he finally went for an excellent 58, Little Hulton's innings was quickly coming to an end. Without the retired Whitton to bat, the score closed on 150 at the fall of the 9th wicket. McNally 4 for 32 and Taylor 3 for 56 being the pick of Adlington's bowlers.

Mike Rawlings and Scott Henderson set about their task confidently for the visitors, passing 50 without trouble.

Rawlings was first to go at 60 for 43 which included seven 4s. This brought Darryl Hitchen to the wicket, a batsman having an excellent season to date. He and Henderson steered Adlington to 133 and virtual victory before Henderson fell to the bowling of Mike Edwards.

Little Hulton then introduced Paul Craig to bowl and with his second ball Hitchen completed a fine 50 and an 8-wicket victory for his side.

The win put Adlington right back into the championship frame and was a timely boost before their Cross Cup Semi the day after against Blackrod.