GREENMOUNT got back to winning ways with a comprehensive twenty-point victory at Little Lever that moved them five places up the BOLTON LEAGUE pecking order.

And while their former professional Mark Taylor was giving the Aussies a boost with a century in the Edgbaston test the stage looked set for this year's model Richard Chee Quee to rattle up a ton until he was dramatically run out on 92 as the villagers hit 199 for 8.

In reply Lever had little to offer in the wake of some fine pace bowling from Mark Stewart who finished with 6 for 61 before having to bow out of the Bolton League's inter-league side a day later with a groin strain.

It was an up-and-down weekend for LANCASHIRE LEAGUE Ramsbottom who started the weekend in winning vein only to fail on Sunday.

At Enfield on Saturday the Rams put in their best display of the season to win a rain-affected game by six wickets. Nick Riley's eight-over spell, in which he grabbed 4 for 25, knocked the stuffing out of the home side who slumped to a meagre 114 all out.

Skipper Ian Bell (30) put Ramsbottom on the winning track and they were never put under any serious pressure by the sloppy fielding of the home side and eased home in just over 30 overs.

In another rain-interrupted clash at Todmorden on Sunday the Rams looked well placed for a win when, chasing the home side's 147 for 7, they stood at 67 for 1 after 15 overs.

However, opener Brian Taylor (42) and professional Chris Harris (18) fell in quick succession and once Riley (21) was dismissed they fell behind the run rate to finish on 147 for 7.

In the BOLTON ASSOCIATION Elton raced to their first league victory of the season with a 52 run triumph over Astley and Tyldesley.

Skipper Steve Lomas, with a fine knock of 75, and professional Darron Foy (53) led the Leigh Laners run charge as they posted a total of 179 for 5.

In reply A & T (127) were left floundering in the wake of another six wicket haul by Gareth Williams (6 for 53) while Foy also chipped in with a useful 4 for 53.

There was no joy for Elton's local rivals Walshaw who slid to a three wicket defeat when they took on Little Hulton at Sycamore Road. Skipper Rob Faulkner top scored with 34 as the home side were held to 136 for 8, a total that proved insufficient despite Charles Dagnall's excellent bowling display (7 for 73) as the visitors hit a winning 138 for 7.

Radcliffe had a day to forget on Saturday when they were skittled for 55 in their CENTRAL LANCASHIRE LEAGUE match at Littleborough.

In what was far and away their worst performance of the summer they then could only watch as the home side rubbed their noses in it, sprinting to maximum points in five overs without losing a wicket.

Stand recorded their second outright win of the summer to dent Middleton's title hopes.

In a vintage all-round display from the Whitefield side Dave Wass top-scored with 75 of their 192 for 2 total which was too much for Middleton who felt the full force of professional Mike Warden who finished with figures of 6 for 67 to add to his unbeaten 40 with the bat.

Unsworth had no answer to the Milnrow's opening pair Richard Newark and Kevan Howard who blasted 74 and 101 respectively in their side's total of 202 for 2.

In reply John Harrison hit 47 and professional Ramanayake 36, but there was no way the Parr Lane club were going to reach the home total and they finished their overs 59 runs behind.

While Prestwich's LANCASHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE match at Longsight fell foul of the weather Woodbank were going down at new league leaders Denton West.

Neil Ridehaugh and N. Holder chipped in with 54 and 58 respectively as the Kenyons club posted a useful total of187.

And when in-form paceman Chris Humphreys started to weave his magic once more things looked gloomy for the home side but two unbeaten innings of 55 and 21 from Nigel Williams and Mike Dale saw them safely through, Dale ending matters with two successive sixes.

At Great Harwood Edenfield's two John's, Ashley and Kershaw, hit 87 and 55 respectively in their 211 for 5 total, but rain brought a halt to their RIBBLESDALE LEAGUE clash with the home side on an ominous 88 without loss.

In the MANCHESTER ASSOCIATION Bury skipper Nick Kennedy (53) and Kiwi professional Owen Steverson (42) were the mainstay of their side's 161 for 6 total which took them beyond Stretford's 160 target (Dave Leach 4 for 21).

Meanwhile Brooksbottoms were slipping to an eight wicket defeat at Wythenshawe.

The Summerseat club made 167 for 5 with skipper Julian Marcroft leading the way with 49 however the home side's Rob Edwards hit an unbeaten 102 to push the south Manchester club into second place in the table.

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