THE Isherwood Cup semi-finals for Bolton Association second teams will be contested between Darcy Lever and A&T, and Golborne and Blackrod. These will take place on July 1.

A&T earn their place with a last ball win at Walshaw. Guy Garnett (62) and Graham Caunce (55) had built a formidable Walshaw total of 190-7, but steady batting throughout the A&T innings, mainly by David Groves (29), Peter Bennett (30) and Paul Higgins (33no) saw the visitors home in an exciting finish.

In the Darcy Lever v Atherton game, Clews, Marsh and Merga all recorded 30 plus, so Atherton must have been disappointed to only reach 165-7, a total which Darcy Lever eased to with seven overs and four wickets to spare. Fern top-score with 49 and well supported by Cockton and captain Patel.

The other two ties produced relative easy wins for Blackrod at Daisy Hill and Golborne, surprise winners on present form, against Elton.

Never recovered

Daisy Hill never recovered from the loss of four early wickets and were all out for 101. Lester, Haydock and Joe Pryce took three wickets each. Simon Dickinson (34) and Graham Walsh (22) set up Blackrod's win despite a flurry late wickets, David Gleave taking 3-17. A return to form by the batsmen, Paul Waterworth (59) and Andy Makinson (46), enabled Golborne to reach 217 all out. Richard Ainsworth finished with 3-22. Makinson completed a fine day's work with 3-10 in Elton's reply of 166 all out, and Geoff Stockton took 4-32. Elton's innings was built around 67 by Graham Bushell.

On the league front, Atherton remain in mid table, and their inability to bowl sides out is costing them dear. Lilley (57), Marsh (84) and Clews (39) took Atherton to 218-4. Blackrod never threatened this total holding out at 116-8. David Baines finished with remarkable figures of 12-9-5-3.

Daisy Hill recorded a third successive win, beating Golborne by 32 runs in a high scoring game. Mick Leeming (70) and Paul Hutton (85no) were the basis of Hill's 237-8. Paul Waterworth (57) and James Lilley (39) staged a mid innings recovery but Alex Connah with 4-15 took Daisy Hill to a mid table position.