WALSHAW failed in their bid for a fourth successive BOLTON ASSOCIATION championship as their loss to Atherton allowed rivals Spring View to take the title by just one point.

Although some tight bowling and keen fielding kept Atherton down to 154 for eight, Walshaw had no answer to Atherton professional Diwakar, who took seven wickets for 53 runsto bowl them out 25 runs short of the target.

Elton finished their season in fine style with victory over Lostock as Chris Hall signed off with a magnificent innings.

Elton won the toss and, in his final game for the club, skipper and professional Hall elected to bat.

He opened the batting and led by example, clubbing the Lostock bowling attack to all parts of the ground with an array of shots.

His masterful 93 may have fallen just 12 runs short of 1000 runs for the season but he did end on a good note with a fine display.

Chris Read fell for 23 with some superb strokes and Steven Lomax then played a good 20 before Rashid Riaz smashed a quick fire 17.

Elton ended up on 183 for 8 off 48 overs and the pick of the bowling was Beswick with 5 for 53 off 14.

Trouble

Lostock were soon in trouble at 37 for 3 but some resiliant batting by skipper kaye helped them to 150 for 7.

Wicket keeper Ross McAuley was injured in the game so Ste Lomax went behind he stumps and kept very well, while under 15s stars Tom Smith and Phil Donnelly fielded excellently after being called up at the last minute.

The pick of the Elton bowling was Peter Kay, with 3-29, and Professional Hall, 2-21.