EDGWORTH made a winning move when they were forced to call up a deputy pro for their game against Little Hulton.

Ryan Harris stepped in after Tahir Maqsood had been ruled out with a hamstring strain, and he swept third-placed Edgworth to victory with a bowling haul of 8-51.

Little Hulton were dismissed for 148 after Edgworth had scored 245-7. Jon Partington hit a half century off only 26 balls in an unbeaten innings of 68, Nick Kernick top scored with 69, and Guy Haynes added 56.

Little Hulton's only consolation in their 97-run defeat was a half century from Ashley Perry.

With the top four all winning comfortably, there was no change in the championship chase.

Elton stayed ahead following a five-wicket success at Spring View, where they bowled out the home side for 125, before Mark Goddard hit an unbeaten 45 in a reply of 126-5.

At second placed Walshaw, Jason Whittaker (84) and Anthony Harris (78) put on an opening stand of 162 to set up a total of 242-3 off 38 overs. Opponents Astley and Tyldesley were then bowled out for 135, Liam Riley taking 5-28 in the 107-run win.

Darcy Lever and Standish both found batting difficult. Standish were dismissed for 134 as Nick Fawcett took 4-21 and Dominic Gavin 3-66. Darcy also had their problems but Davendra Bundela with an unbeaten 53, and John Norris 30 did enough to win the game, Golborne stretched their winning run to four matches after an 80-run success over Blackrod. Leo Cook's 83 was the backbone of Golborne's 212-9, while Blackrod could only muster 132 in reply, Dale Tyrer doing much of the damage with 5-46.

Adlington must have fancied their chances of victory at Atherton after dismissing the home side for 176, but in the end Chris Street's 5-53 haul saw them restricted to 149-9 and a 27-run defeat.

For Atherton, Neil Bannister continued his good form hitting 74, while Gareth Ellison claimed 4-42 for Adlington.