GOLBORNE are reeling from a weekend of woe.
Saturday saw them held to a Vimto Bolton Association draw by the stubborn tail-enders of Blackrod; Sunday saw them slump to a shock Cross Cup defeat against Darcy Lever.
In the league Edgworth, leading the chasing group behind Golborne, cut the gap with a seven-wicket win at Astley & Tyldesley.
Home pro Scott Henderson smacked 60 and Robert Bennett hit 43 as A & T battled to a respectable 178-5.
But that proved little problem for Edgworth who steamed in at 183-3.
Golborne themselves built up a formidable total of 252-6 with openers Andy Batterley 63 and Ewan McCray 56 in stunning form. Great back-up, too, from Gary Woodward, who whacked 47 against his favourite opposition.
But Blackrod gritted their teeth. And, despite McCray's 3-39 return, they were still there at the finish on 187-8.
Atherton, still placed third, fell just short of what should have been a straightforward win at Darcy Lever. The home side were held to a modest 154-7. It should have been a comfortable target - but it wasn't.
Opening bat Brian Cole top-scored on 51 as the wickets tumbled, and Atherton ended at 149 with just one wicket remaining.
Back to the Cross Cup and Golborne's shock 133-run defeat at Darcy Lever.
The minnows amassed 249-5, largely thanks to a fourth wicket stand of 155 between Richard Sutcliffe, who hit his best of the season at 111, and professional Jason Whittaker, who battled through for an unbeaten 67.
Golborne replied with Andy Mullaney hitting 33 and Graham Marston 30.
But they had no answer to Brett Collins, who finished with 3-23 in 12 overs, Whittaker 3-7 and Steve Price 2-38.
In-form Atherton also nose-dived as struggling Little Hulton saved their best performance of the season to win by 15 runs.
The home side made 192-9 with Steve Walsh shrugging off a leg injury to snap up 6-64.
In reply, Ian Moss struck 58, Phillip West 34 and Ian Nuttall 34. But a devastating bowling spell of 6-60 by Andrew Sutherland restricted Atherton to 177-8.
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