STANDISH captain Sam Heeley described Atherton pro Jamar Griffith as "unplayable" after the Barbadian took eight wickets in their three-wicket victory.

Griffith recorded figures of 8-15 inside 18 overs as Atherton bowled out their hosts for just 58.

Israr Ul-Haq top scored for Standish with 11 runs but he was a lone figure of resistance as they wilted under the pressure created by Griffith, whose figures included eight maidens.

Heeley said: “From ball one it was turning and twisting all over the place for him (Griffith). The wicket certainly suited him – he was unplayable.”

Atherton made hard work of their reply as Ben Dowling (4-28) and Heeley (2-31) reduced them to 28-5.

But James Hatton pushed the Higham Park men over the line, scoring 23 not out.

Atherton's fifth win of their league campaign left them in sixth place in the Bolton Association table, just three points behind close neighbours Astley and Tyldesley, who are fourth.

They endured mixed fortunes in two matches at home to Blackrod over the weekend, winning Saturday's league fixture by eight wickets before stumbling to a four-wicket defeat in the first round of the Cross Cup on Sunday.

Paul Bennett took 3-39 for Astley and Tyldesley, while Nathan Johnston (2-35), Jordan O’Malley (2-40) and captain Jimmy Cut (2-58) each finished with two wickets apiece as Blackrod were restricted to 180-9 in their Association match.

In response, Cutt scored 67 and Australian Travis Wordsworth notched an unbeaten 71 as they led comfortably passed their target.

There was a definite sense of déjà vu occurred at Gin Pit the following day, but this time it was the visitors who secured a comfortable victory.

This time A&T batted first and, just like Blackrod the day before, managed 180 runs, finishing with eight wickets down.

Hemant Patel (34), Dave Harrison (45) and Nathan Johnston (27no) all produced decent knocks but could not take the total out of reach following some tight bowling from Joe Speak (3-22) and Chris Sanderson (3-30).

Bennett took 3-23 for A&T but Thusendra de Zoysa (56) and Zak Burton (56no) both reached half-centuries in the visitors’ response.