ELTON'S scheduled BOLTON ASSOCIATION league game against Edgworth at the weekend did not get underway because of rain, however, there was glorious sunshine awaiting the Lancashire Knockout quarter-final on Sunday.

The Leigh Lane side had to square up to Merseyside glamour boys Bootle, who possessed a team littered with former international and first class stars, notably former Lancashire ace Graham Lloyd.

Bootle started the game by batting first and started reasonably well until Peter Kay dismissed former Lancashire man Paddy McKeown with a typically venomous yorker.

Elton looked to be in the accendancy when Cheshire player David Snellgrove was caught at point for just four, reducing the Liverpool men to 35 for 3.

However, this brought the diminutive Lloyd to the crease who began to employ the techniques he perfected in his time with Lancashire, stealing singles and hitting important boundaries.

He also subjected his pal Dexter Fitton to a number of his trademark reverse sweep shots, bringing the bumper crowd to life.

Lloyd flew to his half century after just 57 balls, and took the score to more than 120 but was unable to keep his concentration for long, as Fitton got his revenge.

The runs kept flowing for Bootle as they reached a commanding total of 203.

In reply Elton struggled for runs early on as form man Rashid Riaz and captain Mark Goddard were dismissed early.

Coach Damien Keegan and Dexter Fitton managed to get the score to 60 for 2, but as the run rate increased, more risks had to be taken.

Unfortunately for Keegan he missed a stright delivery and was bowled.

Fitton remained at the crease, but no other batsmen really stuck around to help. Amid the pulsating cricket, the crowd had a surprise visit from England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff!

He hung around until the game was over, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

Perhaps one autograph he'll never forget was when he was asked to sign Elton second team captain Danny Deegan's car bonnet!

Despite the inspiration from Flintoff, Elton wickets sadly fell all too regularly and in the end they were bowled all out for 120.

Although the local side were second best, it was by no means an easy game for Bootle.

The better team won on the day, but it was a day the Elton fans will never forget and one with which the players can look back on with pride.

WALSHAW'S frantic mopping up operations at their Sycamore Road ground almost backfired on them.

In a game reduced to 38 overs per side, they lost the toss, were invited to bat and were in deep trouble at 85 for 8.

Only a hard-hitting rearguard action from Glen Stephens and Danny Holland for the ninth wicket added 40 runs which were to prove vital.

Standish lost two early wickets to Jon Fielding and Bret Collins which gave the home side all the encouragement they needed and the visitors fell 21 runs short of the target being bowled out for 104

Rob Faulkner was the most successful Walshaw bowler with 5 for 29 with four of the wickets catches from Danny Hornby.

WALSHAW'S frantic mopping up operations at their Sycamore Road ground almost backfired on them.

In a BOLTON ASSOCIATION game reduced to 38 overs per side, they lost the toss, were invited to bat and were in deep trouble at 85 for 8.

Only a hard-hitting rearguard action from Glen Stephens and Danny Holland for the ninth wicket added 40 runs which were to prove vital.

Standish lost two early wickets to Jon Fielding and Bret Collins which gave the home side all the encouragement they needed and the visitors fell 21 runs short of the target being bowled out for 104

Rob Faulkner was the most successful Walshaw bowler with 5 for 29 with four of the wickets catches from Danny Hornby.