PAUL WALSH produced a smart piece of fielding to earn Atherton a thrilling Abbott Ale Knockout win.

They beat Cheadle Hulme in a thrilling finish.

Both sides scored 189 runs, Atherton taking the tie having lost fewer wickets.

Cheadle could have won it, however, on the last ball which was hit hard to the boundary.

But 15-year-old Paul dashed round, made a brilliant stop and then raced in to remove the bails.

GLAZEBURY went down by 40 runs against Westminster Park - despite a fine start.

They had the visitors reeling with Jon Gibbons 2-18, Tom Milmine 3-45 and Simon Green 2-12 as Park fell for a modest 109.

Only Peter Calvert did anything with the bat, however, scoring 23 in a total of 69.

Glazebury 2nd also lost. They hit 127 (Roger Davenport 58, Mark Barnes 28) but Westminster hit the required runs, losing just one wicket.

Glazebury U11s beat Newton-le-Willows. Good runs from John Hilton, David Gibson and Mick Jones, good bowling from Sam Bradburn.

GOLBORNE 2nd comfortably beat Little Hulton. After scoring 140 they skittled their rivals out for 58.

They then beat Atherton, Andrew Makinson taking 4-8 in a total of 81. Golborne lost just three wickets in reaching their winning target.

GOLBORNE U15s lost to Atherton after scoring 70 in their 20 overs, P Waterworth hitting 14 off 11 balls before being bowled by Paul Walsh.

Walsh then made 24 before being stumped by John Street off the bowling of Manesh Myangar (2-9) but Atherton knocked off the winning runs in the 19th over.

Atherton also won the U13s match. Only Daniel Robinson put up real resistance as Golborne managed 48.

Good bowling by Tom Smith and Steven Mullaney (three overs, two maidens, one run, one wicket) kept Atherton in check. But, with just four wickets down, they won it in the 15th over.

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