JUST short of 500 runs on the board, a superb unbeaten century and the result in doubt until the final over - Walshaw's home clash against local BOLTON ASSOCIATION rivals Elton on Saturday had it all!

What it didn't have for the Sycamore Road side was a happy ending but not even the keenest of their supporters could complain about the entertainment on show.

And they could have no gripes about the contribution of club professional Simon Bamford either as he blasted a superb unbeaten 122 in the reply.

Bamford's Elton counterpart Darron Foy continued his fine run of form with the bat by cracking a fine 86 and with coach Graham Bushell and skipper Steve Lomas chipping in with 50 and 47 respectively the Leigh Lane club's total of 247 for 7 looked like being a bridge too far for the home side.

However the Walshaw set about their task with a vengeance, and, led by Bamford and opener Simon Marsh who added 48 they looked capable of reaching the target.

But it wasn't to be and they dramatically fell away when the second of two untimely run-outs denied them ten runs adrift with five balls remaining.

In the LANCASHIRE LEAGUE there was more late drama when Ramsbottom made the trip up the A56 to Burnley.

Skipper Ian Bell (47) and youngster Chris Hall (35) led the way for the Rams as they posted a total of 167 for 8.

And it looked all up for the Acre Bottom side when 85 valuable runs from Burnley professional Dale Benkenstein and opener Michael Brown's 41 seemingly put their side on the victory trail at 122 for 1.

But it all went pear-shaped for the home side and, needing four to win with three wickets in hand in the final over, they finished two short of the target when Khizar Saeed was run out off the final ball of the match.

The torrential late afternoon downpour put paid to Sunday's Acre Bottom clash against Church after Ramsbottom had run up 146 for 9 in 42.4 overs (Nick Riley 58).

Radcliffe travelled to Heywood on Saturday and showed the sort of fighting spirit they'll need to lift themselves off the bottom of the CENTRAL LANCASHIRE LEAGUE table.

Faced with a target of 197 to win things looked pretty grim when the first two wickets fell for just six runs but professional Peter Skuse and opener Craig Roscoe had other ideas.

The pairing took the score on to 90 before Roscoe, who added 31, was dismissed.

Skuse continued to 89 and his knock went a long way to steering the battling Racecoursemen to within six runs of victory with four balls remaining, however, proceedings closed when Chris O'Beirne was agonisingly run out.

Stand, without injured professional Mike Warden, employed the services of Lancashire's wicketkeeper, Warren Hegg but he could not stop them falling to defeat at second-from-bottom Ashton.

The strugglers' professional Rick Burton collected six Stand scalps to record a four point victory.

The Hamilton Road side finished at 157 for 9 from their 48 overs and, without the bowling services of Warden, were fighting an uphill battle.

David Airey gave them some hope with a four-wicket show but the total was eventually overhauled with 15 balls remaining.

Unsworth made it an unhappy treble for the local Central Lancashire League teams when they were shot out for 74 chasing Littleborough's 216.

In the BOLTON LEAGUE Greenmount went down to a seven wicket defeat when Kearsley were the visitors to Brandlesholme Road.

Five scalps apiece for David White and West Indian professional Steve Dublin did for the villagers who were all back in the Log Cabin for a paltry 97. White then went on to prove his worth with the bat, hitting 44 of his side's comfortable 100 for 3 reply.

Former Lancashire ace Steve O'Shaughnessy was a thorn in the side of Woodbank in their LANCASHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE clash at Denton.

The Egerton Street professional blasted a terrific 112 of his team's total of 260 for 6 then went on to finish with bowling figures of 6 for 20 as the Kenyons club were dismissed for 125 in reply.

The only highlight of miserable Woodbank afternoon was a spirited 52 from Wayne Griffiths.

There was a return to winning ways for Prestwich who had Martin Hegg to thank for their five wicket win at Irlam.

The paceman's figures of 7 for 30 were instrumental in reducing the Liverpool Road club to a meagre 59 all out.

Former Unsworth man Rick Blackman caused consternation with four early wickets that had the Heys side wobbling on 4 for 5 but Prestwich are showing more resolve these days and the O'Connor brothers proved the point splendidly.

Graham struck seven boundaries in amassing an unbeaten 41, while John (11 not out) showed great aptitude to break Irlam's hearts and guide their side to triumph in a short-lived but incredible match.

Bury captain Nick Kennedy led his team to a winning MANCHESTER ASSOCIATION draw against Weaste with a fine unbeaten innings of 77.

He was ably assisted by opener Mike Brawn (61) as the Sports Club side put on 198 for 7 from their 50 overs.

The visitors fell 38 runs short in reply for the loss of eight wickets, Ian Simpson taking the Bury bowling plaudits with 4 for 47.

Meanwhile, down at Summerseat, Brooksbottoms were on the wrong end of a hammering courtesy of Lytham who leapfrogged them in the table.

The seasiders skittled Brox to 105 all out then cruised home inside 28 over for the loss of two wickets.

Edenfield, who entertained Read in the RIBBLESDALE LEAGUE, had professional John Ashley to thank for a five point haul.

The Gincroft paid man took two wickets in the first two balls of the visitors' innings before they recovered to set a target of 161 to win.

Ashley then earned his corn with a splendid unbeaten 93 to see the valley side home for the loss of four wickets.

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