AS PART of their preparations for the coming season, Atherton CC played friendly matches against Haydock home and away at the weekend.

Haydock, who play in the first division of the Liverpool Competition, edged out the Higham Park boys on both occasions; 194-4 against 192-4 on Saturday and 184-8 against 180-9 on Sunday.

For both matches the teams were a mix of first and second team players and from Atherton's point of view the highlight of the two games was the batting of 15 years old Paul Keenan who on Saturday made an undefeated 108, followed up on Sunday with 28 not out.

This performance undicates the immense promise of yet another product of the Atherton junior set up.

Atherton have two further pre-season matches, at home to Heaton on the Bolton League on Saturday and away to Lancashire League side Haslingden on April 19.

Atherton's Bolton Association programme starts on April 26 when they are away at Lostock.