OVER the years these two teams have enjoyed a local rivalry which has frequently produced exciting cricket and an entertaining climax. Add to this the way Little Hulton have climbed up the table with a winning sequence which, if continued today, would set up a real nail-biter at Walshaw the following day.

Little Hulton, playing without the Lee brothers, won the toss and put Clifton in to bat. Such a decision shouldn't surprise me any more but, on a warm sunny day, a good looking track and fast outfield, I suspect Clifton were grateful.

Geoff Griffiths facing Andy Sutherland managed an edged shot for two off the second ball but the remainder of the over, bowled at some pace, was carefully watched by the batsman. Dave Parkinson bowling from the Pavilion end to Phil Royle caused surprise when his second ball, a half-volley on the legs was hit quite sweetly to Jarvis at mid-wicket who took the catch above his head and made it look easy.

Tony Kelly arrived at the wicket and the batsmen had to work hard for their runs. Sutherland was replaced by David Ainsworth after the former had bowled 9 overs for 29 runs and at this stage Clifton were 38 for 1 off 18. Griffiths was removed when a flyer from Parkinson could not be evaded and Rushton duly took the catch.

Gareth Cross now joined Kelly and the scoring rate increased, mainly through the efforts of Kelly who was becoming more belligerent by necessity for the total when Cross (14) fell to a catch by Edwards off Parkinson in the 30th over was 93 for 3. Andrew Griffiths helped to hurry the score along and in the next four overs 28 runs were added until Kelly was taken at deep mid-wicket for a well-struck 63. Sutherland replaced Ainsworth and in his second over had Weir caught behind by Rushton.

Griffiths holed out to Mullineux again off Parkinson for a useful 17 and Clifton were 146 for 6 with six overs left. Wild was bowled by Sutherland, but Steve Holt and Ian Morris added a further 29 runs before Morris was run out off the last ball of the innings. A total of 177 did not seem very difficult but Tony Potter had been rubbing his hands together when he saw dust rising where the ball occasionally pitched at the Pavilion end.

Tea was taken and the atmosphere was reminiscent of Wimbledon with tennis balls crashing round and Sue's strawberries and cream being served to the be-deck-chaired spectators.

Paul Craig and David Ainsworth opened the innings facing the medium pace of Steve Holt and Gary Tonge. They showed more enterprise than their opponents and when Craig went caught behind off Holt in the 11th over, the score was 26. After nine overs Holt was replaced by Potter who took wickets with the first ball of his second and third overs. His athletic endeavours resulted in a caught and bowled dismissal of Dave Parkinson and the stumping of Mike Edwards who, following a four and a six off Potter was left stranded by a wider ball delivered as he saw the batsman advancing down the pitch.

The winning of the match now appeared to be in the hands of Ainsworth and Gaskell but at 119, Gaskell was caught by Morris at short leg, the first of, what was to become, three victims for the Morris/Potter duo.

Potter who took three wickets in four balls spread over two overs had managed to transform the match. 119 for 3 became 137 for 8 due to a combination of guile on the one hand and immaturity and a desire to win by hitting the big six.

The bowling was rotated in a sensible way and Tonge was finally rewarded with two wickets.

Cross caught one, and stumped two, shone but at the same time was occasionally for him careless with his work behind the stumps. Ainsworth scored a fine 58 and Gaskell 24, but Potter came out of the match with 7 for 49 and a complaint that he's never given a chance to bat!