AFTER last week's disappointing exit from the Cross Cup at the hands of Atherton, Elton were determined to avoid a repeat performance when they faced them in the league.

It was an excellent opportunity to exact revenge.

Atherton batted first and again made a good start, with Lancashire Academy man Karl Brown posting another 50. Paul Keenan, Phil West and Neil Bannister also chipped in with vital scores.

With a combined age that the Queen Mother may have envied, Dexter Fitton and Graham Bushell had to use all their experience to restrict the Wiganners to a gettable 184.

An exciting chase ensued and Atherton had the early advantage, as Elton wickets fell all too quickly.

The game was still alive, however, as paid man Fitton remained defiant at the crease. The score kept ticking, but wickets continued to be lost.

With five overs remaining, Elton still needed seven an over. Cue Peter Kay, who hit a flurry of manufactured boundaries to bring the Leigh Laners within site of the finish line.

Fittingly in the penultimate over, Fitton closed the game with two typically sweet strokes to bring his own score to 92 not out.

Meanwhile, Walshaw was entertaining Golborne at Sycamore Road.

At the drinks interval of the visitors' innings they were on 70 for no wicket and looked strongly set for a high total.

But Walshaw came back strongly to restrict the score to 152 by taking six wickets.

Professional Jon Fielding was the pick of the bowlers taking four wickets, with Tony Kelly, standing in behind the wicket for the injured Harris, claiming two victims.

Walshaw - with contributions from Kelly (52), Collins (39) and a final flourish of 24 from Glen Stephens - reach the required total with 14 overs to spare for the loss of six wickets.

On Sunday, Walshaw faced a tough task in the Lancashire Knockout, drawn at Northern League champions Darwen - a strong side in a strong league.

Batting first, several of the Walshaw players made a good start to their innings, but no-one was able to take the game by the scruff of the neck and make the necessary big score, and they finished on 139 all out from their 45 overs.

That total never looked likely to be enough, particularly when Darwen were on 50 without loss.

And despite the Walshaw bowlers' beligerence, the home side passed the winning line for the loss of eight wickets.