THE wet weather relented enough to allow the Bolton Association to make a prompt start to the local cricket season. The Bolton League had already decided to postpone their opening games on Sunday but the Association were confident that their pitches were fit enough for action.

They were, bar one, Lostock's game with Golborne being called off late last week after problems with a damp patch close to the square.

Of the rest there was a positive result in every game - one of the few rare occasions when thee have been drawn matches in the entire programme

And of the professionals who were available, all produced impressive performances, notably Edgworth's Gary Garner and Pankaj Tripathi of Standish.

Garner, who moved from League side Heaton, virtually won the match single-handed for Edgworth.

First he claimed 5-37 as A & T were bundled out for 114 before steering Edgworth to an eight wicket win with an unbeaten 55 out of a total of 115-2.

Tripathi was the star performer in Standish's game at Atherton yet he was unable to prevent them slipping to a 57 run defeat.

Atherton's 151 was the top score of the day with David Brown hitting 60, pro Greg Dimery 29 and Steve Walsh's 20 helping his side past the 150 mark. In that Tripathi picked up five wickets for 25 off only nine overs before putting his side in a match-winning position with a quickfire 42.

At one stage Standish were 50-0 in no time at all but unfortunately there was no one in the Standish side able to build on that and the innings collapsed to 94 all out, Dimery taking 5-48 and Walsh, who bowled out Tripathi, 4-22.

Blackrod didn't look in trouble as they coasted to 90-3 chasing Daisy Hill's 106.

Pro David Morris contributed 44 to that but an amazing bowling spell from Daisy pro Chris Jones saw the home side lose several quick wickets before squeezing out a win at 107-8. Jones finished with 7-36 while Mark Penny hit 46 for Daisy Hill. Darren Whittle formerly of Kearsley, was influential for Blackrod with 6-29.