THE opening shots in the Bolton Association season brought disappointment for the champions but a positive start for many of the fancied teams.

Little Hulton were beaten by five wickets by Elton but the slow, damp wickets meant a bundle of low scores.

Edgworth underlined their potential with a nine wicket win at Adlington. Eddie Haddon and Mick Leyland got into the 20s in a bid to stave off a collapse but the Edgworth bowlers had the last say, Beswick picking up 5-41 and Locke 4-38 as the home side were dismissed for 108 in 30 overs.

Mike Davies then led the Edgworth reply, hitting an unbeaten 55 as his side reached 109-1 in 34 overs.

Darcy Lever's bowlers were also on target, shooting out Blackrod for 82. Stephen Price had the visiting batsmen in trouble with bowling figures of 6-28 but it wasn't all plain sailing for Darcy.

Andy Ingham had figures of 6-25 and in the end, pro Mike Scothern's defiant 25 helped Darcy to a winning 83-8.

British Aero skipper Phil Knowles was well satisfied with a total of 128-7 against Walshaw with Peter Litherland hitting the day's top score, 82 not out. That Aero batsmen were restricted by the bowling of Colin Crouch, who finished with figures of 6-21.

Walshaw were victims of new Aero pro John Nuttall, who earned his money with a 6-33 return, five of them bowled. That left the Bury side down and out at 97 and beaten by 31 runs.

The Wigan derby produced a 35 run win for Spring View, who dismissed Standish for 93. At one stage it had looked good for Standish as Peter Walder's personal best bowling performance of 6-28 restricted Spring View to 128, Nigel Geary hitting 43.

But Alan Shields then picked up 4-27 and Andy Fox 4-30 and although new Standish captain Stephen Knowles did his best to stave off the inevitable, Spring View ran out comfortable winners. Daisy Hill had a comfortable four wicket win over Astley and Tyldesley in a match when both professionals showed off their bowling talents.

Chris Jones had 4-65 as A & T were dismissed for 133, Bennett top scoring with 43, while Charles Dagnall replied with 4-59 but Darren Moluneux's unbeaten 39, helped Daisy to a winning 134-6.

The only draw of the day featured two sides expected to figure in this year's honours.

Golborne hit the day's top total, 167-9, McCrae 44 and Walsh claiming 4-58, but Atherton had only themslves to blame dropping several catches. In reply they were restricted to 130-6,which ironically would have overhauled any of the other 12 clubs. Phil West lead the chase with an unbeaten 82, Andy Pennington picking up 3-60.

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