GOLBORNE have posted an early-season warning to the Bolton Association title pretenders.

The champs and league leaders again gave an indication of their title intentions by breezing to victory over Astley & Tyldesley on Saturday.

And they followed that up, tightening their stranglehold on the trophy, with an emphatic eight-wicket win at Standish.

Karl Gorse gave it his best shot as A & T posted 133-4, the opener unbeaten on 81.

But that was never going to trouble Golborne, who hit the target with six wickets to spare, Andrew Batterley top-scoring with 45 and Andy Mullaney and Ian Seddon finishing the job with unbeaten knocks of 42 and 30.

Then came the Sunday stroll against Standish, enough to open a staggering 25-point lead at the top. Chris Balshaw took 3-9 and Ben Greenwood 3-12 as Golborne made light of their task with Batterley unbeaten on 31.

Atherton could provide the big challenge to Golborne, moving third after Saturday's draw at Walshaw and a smacking six-wicket win against Edgworth.

Walshaw, fourth going into the weekend, lost ground as Atherton got a firm grip of the game with pro Andy Hall hitting 46 of their 169-8.

But it was Ian Moss who stole the show, following up his unbeaten 38 with a haul of 4-60 as Walshaw mustered 113-8 in reply.

On Sunday visitors Edgworth made 157 with former Atherton player Howard Brookes top scoring on 37 as Jonathan Fearick took 5-51. Atherton professional Andy Hall hit an unbeaten 62 to steer his side home.

A & T, blitzed by Golborne, struggled to a Sunday draw against Clifton who were held to 100-9 with Henderson taking 3-42.

But, against some fine bowling by Potter, A & T finished with 5-40, and deputy pro Turnbull and had to be content with a draw at 73-7.

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