THE battle of the Redmayne Bentley Bolton Association title contenders ended in a narrow defeat for Atherton on Saturday when they lost by two wickets at Walshaw.

Skipper Steve Walsh's bad luck with the toss continued and the visitors found themselves having to bat under leaden skies, in a bitter wind and on a strip that offered the bowlers every advantage.

They lost opener Paul Walsh for 10 in the 12th over with the score on 12. Fellow opener Chris Partington faced 39 balls for just two singles and when he was second out for 15 in the 30th over, the score had struggled to 54.

The very reliable Greg Dimery, who had come in at the fall of Walsh's wicket, was finding batting no easier and took 80 balls to reach 25. The normally free-scoring Phil West was also having to pick up most of his runs in singles.

The pair stayed together until the end of the 48th over when they had managed to propel the score what, under the circumstances, was a reasonably respectable 141. Dimery finished unbeaten on 65 with West 36 not out.

When the home side batted Dimery was soon among the wickets, dismissing both openers courtesy of catches by Phil Williamson and Paul Brown. Skipper Rob Faulkner became the third wicket to fall, caught by Dimery off Steve Walsh's bowling.

The score was then 26 in the 15th over and a sniff of victory was in the air but as often happens when these two sides meet, the powerful hitting Bret Collins spoiled the party. He bludgeoned his way to a top score of 64 off 65 balls, containing 6 fours and 3 sixes. When he was well caught and bowled by Paul Brown just 39 runs were needed for victory and the remaining batsmen were able, not without difficulty, to steer the home side to victory with two wickets and two overs to spare.

Excellent catches

Dimery finished with 4-55 and Walsh 3-27 while Brown took three excellent catches.

On Sunday Atherton hosted the second round of the Lancashire KO competition against the holders, Netherfield of the Northern League.

The home side, without Steve Walsh and Phil West, were skippered by Dimery who was successful with his first duty, winning the toss. But his decision to bat first was soon looking a mistake as three wickets fell for one run before the tea ladies had arrived at the ground.

However, Dimery had other ideas and for the rest of the innings conducted a 'master class' in batting. When the last wicket fell in the 44th over, he was undefeated on 69.

He was helped along the way in partnerships of 39 and 37 with Brown and David Charlson as Atherton closed on 145.

When Netherfield batted they were soon losing wickets and continued to do so until their score stood on 104-9 in the 32nd over. But try as they might, Atherton could no dislodge the last wicket pair who took the score to 145-9 as Netherfield edged into the next round by courtesy of having lost fewer wickets.

Atherton did no help their cause by conceding 49 extras, 31 of which were wides.

Netherfield's professional, former South African Test player Pieter Strydom, had a disappointing match. He scored just one run and took just one wicket.

Atherton have a double-header this weekend. They host Adlington at Higham Park tomorrow, backing up on Sunday with the short trip to Daisy Hill.