There were two close games in the latest round of fixtures in the Association Division of the Anthony Axford Bolton Cricket League.

Batting first, Tonge totalled 87 against Eagley, thanks mainly to Freddie Oliver with 32 of these. Adeel Baig took 4-28 and Harvey Signe 3-17.

Eagley were well placed at 38-2, but not for the first time failed to capitalise on a sound start and ended six runs short with Shoyab Haji taking 4-26.

The Bolton News:

Tush De Zoysa made a half century in Blackrod’s 181 against Darcy Lever, Dominic Gavin with 6-33 and Scott Burns 3-37 doing the damage with the ball.

Chris Fenn hit 61 for Darcy, but with Charlie Fletcher taking 4-57, it took a brisk 37 off 27 deliveries from Andrew Patel towards the end of the innings to give Darcy a two-wicket win in the last over.

Zafar Gohar was the star of the show for Little Hulton in their win over Adlington.

First he recorded figures of 6-64 as Adlington were dismissed for 97, then struck an unbeaten 81 as his side cruised to a nine-wicket victory.

League leaders Astley Bridge scored 137, Jack Bentham making 34, with Ben Smith taking 4-37 and Neil Tong 3-31 for Golborne.

Amal Dalugoda took 6-30 for Bridge as Golborne were reduced from 75-3 to 97 all out in reply.

Association results

Darcy Lever 182-8 (C Fenn 61, D Gavin 6-33) v Blackrod 181 all out (T De Zoysa 57, C Fletcher 4-57), Darcy Lever won by two wkts. Golborne 97 all out (B Smith 4-37) v Astley Bridge 137 all out (A Dalugoda 6-30), Astley Bridge won by 40 runs. Little Hulton 98-1 (Z Gohar 6-34) v Adlington 97 all out, Little Hulton won by nine wkts. Tonge 87 all out (S Haji 4-26) v Eagley 81 all out (Baig 4-28), Tonge won by six runs.