ATHERTON CC travelled to Gin Pit to face local rivals Astley & Tyldesley and with both teams looking to get back to winning ways, following their previous week disappointments, a hard fought game was very likely.

Atherton won the toss and Astley & Tyldesley found themselves batting first.

They started brightly and by the 13th over they were 60 for 1 with Nuttall taking the wicket of Bullock for 4. Nuttall got further reward taking 2 more wickets, and with Childs taking a further wicket Astley & Tyldesley were reduced to 80 for 4 by the 20th over.

While wickets were falling Astley & Tyldesley professional Richardson was still at the crease. With Nuttall and Childs tiring, bowling changes were made with Baines and Brown being introduced into the attack. Walsh was also brought into the attack but struggled for consistency. Astley & Tyldesley finally closed on 203 for 7, wickets were shared between Childs (4-51) and Nuttall (3-39).

Atherton, who would be looking to put last week's batting display behind them, hoped to get off to a good start, but unfortunately they lost Keenan for 4. West arrived at the crease and he and Karl Brown proceeded to put together a partnership of 52 until West was bowled by former Atherton stalwart Steve Walsh for 25. Bannister and Brown carried on the good work until Brown was dismissed for 49.

Professional Childs then joined Bannister and they took the score to 179-3 by the 41st over. With only 24 runs required off 7 overs and with 7 wickets remaining victory looked assured. This didn't prove the case as both Bannister and Childs fell in quick succession for 56 and 36 respectively and with Jamaican fast bowler Richardson taking the further wickets of Wakefield and Walsh, Williamson being the victim of an unfortunate run out it was left to Brown and Nuttall to get Atherton over the finishing line with only 2 balls to spare.

On Sunday Atherton entertained Little Hulton and as in the past this game proved to be another great spectacle, with the game ending in a tie.

Atherton 224- 4 (K.Brown77, Bannister 44 not out); Little Hulton 224-9 (Childs 6-76, P.Brown 3-67).