ATHERTON Cricket Club's chances of victory over Darcy Lever were wrecked by rain.

Between the showers Atherton posted a total of 195 runs from 43 overs, the weather curtailing what would have been a much higher score.

Once again Phil West was Atherton's best batsman, smashing a fine 86, which included 12 fours and 4 sixes.

He was not the only one in the runs as captain Bannister crafted a fine 32 in partnership with his team-mate and useful contributions came from Marsh, who made 26 and Walsh, who stroked his way to 23.

Knowing that the overs would be reduced, the Atherton batsmen took risks after a rain interval and the wickets began to tumble. Darcy's best bowler was Fawcett, who returned figures of 3 for 42 from nine overs, while Gavin also took three of the seven that fell.

With the outfield holding a lot of moisture, the Darcy batsmen would face a tough struggle to overcome the total and their innings stared slowly as Atherton's professional, Street, worked-up a full head of steam.

However, after the first wicket had fallen, Fawcett and Vidjut started to accumulate the runs. They took the score to 78 with a partnership of 69 before Vidjut was dismissed by a remarkable piece of fielding. The batsman top-edged Street over the keeper and Nuttall darted-in from the third man boundary to throw himself full-length and hold a magnificent catch.

This was the fillip that Atherton had been seeking but the weather intervened again and after another break the visitors were given a revised target of 172 with the same number of wickets in the tent. The league rules favour the batting team in these circumstances and Atherton were to be undone as Darcy passed the required target with a half a dozen balls to spare.

Fawcett had got his eye in before the rain break and by the time Nuttall removed him for 89 the victory was all but secure.

Atherton's second XI found their away game at Darcy a tough one.

They lost a vital toss and were asked to bat on a howler of a track. That they managed 118 was a testament to their gritty team spirit.

After the previous week's defeat against Elton, their first loss in over 30 games, the side's fighting qualities came to the fore. These were epitomised by youngsters Unsworth and Harrison, who made vital runs when batting at eight and nine respectively, and they made the target defendable when the home side had been on top.

The weather also played a part in this game as tea-interval rain reduced the target to less than three figures, again with all wickets intact.

Atherton were fielding a weakened attack due to holiday and work commitments but young bowlers Gallagher, Unsworth and Harrison strove hard in supporting older-hand Hudspith to try and gain the points.

Atherton took five wickets and they were in with a shout but Darcy grabbed a win courtesy of the Patel brothers. Nel Patel made a measured 37 while sibling Sat showed how to shore-up an end in support a senior partner as he scored just one run from 25 balls to ensure a victory for the Bolton team.

The Sunday cup games against Walshaw were washed-out so the fixtures will now be played over the next two weekends. The seconds will play away next Sunday and the firsts will be at home a week later.