ONLY a brave man would bet against Walshaw winning the Bolton Association cricket title.

Two more victories, including one against major rivals Little Hulton, saw them increase the gap at the top to 43 points.

Little Hulton, who went into the weekend in second spot, slipped a place following two straight defeats, while Adlington climbed a place from third on Friday but will not be happy after losing to lowly Lostock on Sunday.

Walshaw showed the class which has seen off all-comers with a seven-wicket victory over Little Hulton whose target of 104 all out was never going to be enough.

Little Hulton were in big trouble from the start and saw their first six wickets tumble for just 12 runs after 11 overs.

They rallied mainly thanks to Paul Craig's 39 and David Rushton's 24 while Brett Collins took 5-35. In reply captain Robin Faulkner and Collins steered Walshaw to victory with unbeaten knocks of 37 and 17.

Adlington stumbled through their response to Lostock's 162-5 ( Martin Cornes 53, Matthew Siddall 41 and Wayne Harper 37; Matthew Taylor 4-56). After a slow start in which they hit 40-1 in 20 overs, they slumped to 47-5 before Mike Rawlings (31) and Matthew Taylor (30) sparked a rally with a stand of 61 which took them on to 108-6. But that was as good as it got as they were bowled out for 135.

It was a good day for the Siddall brothers as Adam took a superb eight wickets for 45 runs.

Golborne pipped Blackrod to victory after their opening 171 all out (Ian Critchley 51, Michael Pennington 40 and John Waterworth 35; David Aldred 4-55) proved five runs too much for Blackrod. David Morris smashed 90 runs for the losers while Critchley capped a brilliant day with 7-55.

Clifton made it a double winning weekend with a 96-run victory over Elton. Gareth Cross hit 61 of their 183 all out total while Gary Tonge took 7-34 as they bowled the visitors out for 87.

Edgworth clinched a narrow victory in their mid table battle with Daisy Hill who opened with 125 all out before the home side pipped them with one wicket remaining.

BOTTOM two Astley and Tyldesley and Darcy Lever avoided defeat when they hung on for a share of the spoils against Wigan outfits Standish and Spring View.

Standish smashed 218-7 declared with Jonathan Cooper hitting a season's best 65, Sarkar adding 44 and John Waddington 35, A&T pro Nigel Doyle taking 6-80.

A&T finished with two wickets to spare on 150 with Chris Bullock unbeaten on 55.

Darcy Lever cut it fine as they responded to View's 235-2 (Rob Turnbull 118 and Nigel Geary 73) with 188-9, Eric Shaw top scoring with 92 while 19-year-old Paul Hart took 4-54.