THE fate of the Bolton Association championship chase is firmly in Elton's own hands after their comfortable victory over Standish last Sunday.

Everything seemed to go the Leigh Lane club's favour over the weekend as challengers Atherton tripped up over struggling Golborne and were then defeated by Clifton.

Despite Atherton's bad fortune, Elton still had to make sure that they overcame an out-of-sorts Standish outfit who won the toss and elected to bat first.

The decision looked to be a good one as Geary and Hassan put on 50 runs for the first wicket.

However, they soon collapsed to an incredible 84 all out.

Peter Kay took three wickets for 21 runs, but receiving most of the plaudits was professional Dexter

Fitton who removed six of the Standish batsmen for just 16 runs in ten overs.

Chasing 84 would never prove to be a challenge for the league leaders no matter how indifferent the wicket was.

Main run scorer for Elton was youngster Chris Read who smashed his way to another unbeaten fifty.

Read now finds himself amongst the top ten batsmen in the Association, for somebody of only 17 years of age, this represents a solid achievement.

He was ably supported by Fitton (19 not out) as they eased over the finishing line.

Elton may be sitting pretty at the top of the table but nothing is being taken for granted as tomorrow they face a Terry Southworth inspired Blackrod side who tied with them earlier in the season.

WALSHAW'S comprehensive victory over Edgworth on Saturday was marred by an injury to professional Jonathan Fielding.

They dismissed the Turton club for 80, mainly thanks to 5 for 42 from Danny Hornby.

The Walshaw batsmen easily passed that total for the loss of only four wickets with 22 overs to spare without having to call on the services of their paid man.

Fielding's deputy, Jeevantha Kulatunga, then played a big role in the Sycamore Road club's victory at Spring View on Sunday.

After opening the batting witha hard-hitting knock of 68 he thrn returned bowling figures of 5 for 15 as Spring View - reputed to be a good batting side - were skittled for 88.

A good weekend for the Walshaw bowlers!