WALSHAW'S seemingly unstoppable march to a second successive title continued with a crushing seven wicket win at Lostock.

But the highlights of the day's play were to be found elsewhere as for once cricket revelled in the run.

Bowling performance of the day surely came at Atherton, where Steve Walsh taunted and tormented Astley and Tyldesley into a seven wicket submission.

A & T ended the day on a reasonable looking 152-8, Rob Bennett 36 and David Clare 29, yet that would have been much, much better had it not been for the mastery of the Atherton skipper.

Walsh delivered 19 overs of bewitching bowling, the batsmen only to claim two runs off the first 17.

The fact the batsmen were able to take two sixes off him in a last desperate fling inflated the runs against column to 23 but by then Walsh had claimed two wickets and 14 maidens.

When Atherton batted, their other ace in the pack, pro Andy Hall, hit his third unbeaten innings in a row, this time finishing on 49 while Paul Brown went slighyly better with 52 in a winning 153-3.

Elsewhere another bowler, Tony Potter also single-handedly dictated the outcome of his side's game.

Clifton could only manage a vulnerable looking 177-8 against a confident Little Hulton side yet Potter was on hand to provide a memorable show.

He snapped up seven wickets for 49, including the home side's form batsmen, David Ainsworth, who hit 58 and Alan Gaskell, 24.

That reduced Little Hulton to 153 all out while earlier in Clifton's innings, the bulk of the runs came from inter-league skipper Tony kelly who with 63 is hitting form at the right time with the Trinity Cup only a week away

Standish picked up a worthy win at Blackrod, who never really got into the game.

Adam Coates gave the home side's total some respectability with 55 but 143-8 never looked enough. Standish pro Sarker quickly proved that correct with a handsome half century easing his side to a three wicket win.

Walshaw's success came off the back a fine bowling display that ended with Lostock all out for 95. Brett Collins was the main provider with 4-25, only Richard Stobbs 26 and Adam Syddall 27 showing any resistance.

As expected that total proved no problem for the leaders, pro Jonathan Fielding leading the way with 44 not out.

Elton claimed a two wicket win at Golborne, deputy pro Steve Dearden playing a leading role.

Golborne were dismissed for 145, John Waterworth top scoring with 44, Dearden taking 4-45 with Ian Gade having matching figures. Dearden then hit 57 and Peter Kay 50 as Elton won the match at 146-8.