ELTON'S Bolton Association weekend went as well as could be hoped with two victories over difficult opponents.

The Leigh Laners took another stride towards the Bolton Assocation title when they defeated dangerous Little Hulton on Saturday then overcame second-placed Darcy Lever a day later.

Salford side Hulton were always going to be difficult to beat, however, on a difficult track, Elton managed to overcome last year's runners up.

The visitors were put in and Elton were immediately on top when talented professional Ijaz Mahmood was dismissed by Peter Kay for just five.

Despite a good partnership from Kumar and Hutchinson, Peter Lomax and Dexter Fitton managed to restrict the runs and keep Little Hulton under pressure.

Hutchinson eventually reached his fifty but received no help from the rest of his team, who were kept at bay by Mark Goddard who took four wickets for 50 runs, restricting Hulton to 130 for 8.

Elton's chase was never going to be an easy one.

However, a solid opening stand from the ever-reliable Riaz and Chris Read, put them in a commanding position.

Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, Fitton produced a sterling, unbeaten 53 to take Elton to a five wicket victory.

Sunday's encounter at Darcy Lever was possibly the biggest game of Elton's season.

They were put into bat and were soon in trouble at two for two with Keegan and Riaz back in the shed. The Leigh Laners refused to be phased by this as the ever dependable Dexter Fitton strode purposefully to the crease.

After a good partnership with Read who made 25, wickets again fell regularly but Fitton remained defiant.

Taking numerous body blows and endless pressure, he managed perhaps his most valuable fifty of the season.

After late flourishes from Lomax, Kay and McAuley, Elton closed on 127 all out.

Although not a big total, the Leigh Lane outfit believed they had enough to beat the Bolton side. It proved to be true as Peter Kay and Darron Foy ripped through the Darcy Lever batting line up, reducing them to a miserable 40 for 8.

Fitton mopped up the tail-enders as Darcy Lever were steam rollered for just 58.

The result was a massive blow to Darcy's title hopes, and with Atherton only taking 12 points on Saturday, Elton eventually have now secured a cushion at the top of the table.

The Leigh Laners have a free date this Saturday but find themselves pitched against the only team to beat them on Sunday - Standish.

ANY lingering hopes that Walshaw had of retaining the Bolton Association championship disappeared on Saturday at Adlington.

The Sycamore Road men could only muster 101 runs in reply to the home side's modest 120 all out.

When Adlington batted first professional Jonathan Fielding and Rob Faulkner did the damange with five wickets apiece.

But Walshaw batsmen never got to grips with the home bowlers particularly professional Matthew Taylor who took 5 for 24 from his 18 overs.