SWINTON Moorside clinched the title on a dramatic final day in the Bolton Association’s history.

The destination of the last-ever championship was in doubt right to the wire as Swinton Moorside lost at home to Bury then faced an anxious wait to learn if Edgworth had taken advantage by beating Lostock at home, which would have been enough for them to take the title.

As the Swinton Moorside team were about to clap off the Bury players, news came through that Edgworth had lost, sparking wild celebrations.

Edgworth had led the league all season, only losing top spot seven days earlier when they lost at Flixton and Swinton Moorside took full advantage.

And when they had the chance to respond in kind with Swinton Moorside losing on Saturday, Guy Haynes’ men fell short in a five-wicket defeat.

In a game reduced to 26 overs due to rain, which shortened games throughout the league, Edgworth posted 134-7 (Chris Holt 64, captain Haynes 30; David Flanagan 4-48).

Lostock’s top scorer in their successful reply was Steven Hood – who has also broken a 41-year-old club wicketkeeping record for victims – with 32 not out ¬and they finished a highly successful season fifth in the league and with a place in the Lancashire Knockout next season.

Bury, like Lostock, also ensured their opponents would have to fight for the title as they produced their best despite it being extremely unlikely they would finish anything other than third.

They set a daunting target of 188-3 from 30 overs with opener Simon Belston scoring 80 and number three, pro Ashen Silva, finishing unbeaten on 73.

It eventually proved too much for Swinton Moorside despite a fine partnership of 98 between Callum Flynn (60) and captain Jonny Herreran (43) during which it looked like they might go on to win the game.

That they did not was largely due to Neil Tong who took 5-31.

Swinton Moorside secretary Peter Flatley said: “It was great that the season went down to the last day and even the last half hour.

“We were all just waiting for news from Edgworth and when we found out Lostock had won we celebrated long into the night.

“There’s immense pride at winning the league in the last season, especially with a team of amateurs. We only had our overseas for five matches and only used 16 players all season.

“Every one of them contributed in some way. James Wade scored 800 runs but we had four or five others who scored 500 and Matt Norvall took most wickets but others made important contributions.”

It was a great end to a successful fortnight for Flynn as he only landed in Manchester at 9am on Saturday after starring for winners England in the first ever physical disabled international tournament in Bangladesh.

Flynn, from Leigh, was awarded player of the series and batsman of the series after England came out on top in the six-nation tournament.

Results

Edgworth 134-7 Lostock 137-5. Lostock won by 5 wkts.

Flixton 82-1 Atherton 79. Flixton won by 9 wkts.

Swinton Moorside 171-9 Bury 188-3. Bury won by 17 runs.

Astley and Tyldesley 165-6 Blackrod 167. Blackrod won by 2 runs.

Worsley 184-8 Walshaw 183. Worsley won by 2 wkts.

Adlington 161-8 Winton 193-6. Winton won by 32 runs.

Little Hulton 143-6 Daisy Hill 175-5. Daisy Hill won by 32 runs.

Golborne 120 Darcy Lever 123-9. Darcy Lever won by 3 runs.

Standish 218-5 Westleigh 199-8. Standish won by 19 runs.