ATHERTON have staked an early claim as the side to beat by setting the early pace with a double victory in the Redmayne Bentley Bolton Association.

They followed their impressive six wicket win over Elton with an even more comprehensive victory over Clifton on Sunday.

New pro Greg Dimery is making the difference and the Aussie is leading from the front. He was instrumental in Atherton becoming the only side to top 200 at the weekend with a sparkling 79 out of 209-6 although he had good support from Paul Walsh who made 60. David Parkinson took 4-76. In reply the visitors slumped to 21-5 before David Wild 30 and Gary Tonge 28 added some respectability. At one stage a draw looked on the cards but a couple of wickets fell and Clifton were dismissed for 133. Dimery took 3-54 and Ian Nuttall 3-36.

Edgworth share top spot after they also grabbed a second win over the weekend. Gary Garner's 46 helped them to 151-6 and they dismissed Elton for 120.

Champions Walshaw will not give up their title easily and gained a crucial win by five wickets at Darcy Lever.

The home side struggled to 133 with pro Bashir 32 and Eric Shaw 29 while Barry Hamilton took 5-37. Walshaw, led by Rob Faulkener's 36, won by five wickets with Steve Shepley taking 2-46 and Bashir 2-51.

Golborne bounced back from a surprise defeat at Edgworth to crush Little Hulton. The visitors were dismissed for just 93 with Neil Jarvis top scorer with 28 not out as Dave Roberts took 6-28 and Iain Critchley 2-13.

Earlier Golborne had made a commanding 170-8 with Ian Seddon undefeated on 54, Critchley 35 and Ian Robinson 31. Andy Sutherland finished with 4-42.

It was a low scoring affair at Daisy Hill where the home side were skittled out for 91 with only Howard Brooks showing any resistance with 27 while pro Matthew Taylor bagged 6-45. The visitors reached the target with four wickets to spare despite a disastrous start when they were 7-3. Andy Robinson pulled it round with 45 despite Chris Jones taking 2-38 and Steve Hodgkinson 2-12.

Standish cantered home against Blackrod who were all out for a lowly 91. Daniel Chadwick took 5-39 while Steven Ashworth batted gamely for 41. In reply pro Tripathi hit 47 to steer his side home by seven wickets.

There was a strange game at A&T where the home side made 131-9 with Rob Bennett again in form with 69 while Spring View hung on at 72-9 after Nigel Doyle had taken 6-45.