WALSHAW will play in the Lancashire Knockout competition next year following a fifth-placed finish in the Bolton Association, despite a four-wicket defeat at Adlington on the last day of the season.

Home bowler Majid Majeed took 5-35 as Walshaw were bowled out for 134 and then scored an unbeaten 65.

It might have been a different story had Walshaw built on a high-scoring start in which big-hitting Danny Hornby rattled up 26 quick runs.

With Bury losing at home to Edgworth the Sycamore road side had the consolation of knowing they had already done enough to book their Lancs KO spot.

Bury fell victim to some impressive bowling by the Watkinsons – Liam taking 5-66 while his father, Mike, chipped in with 3-56, although skipper Simon Belston did not seem to have too many problems on his way to a top score of 67.

Bury were eventually bowled out for 155 after Edgworth had made 216-7, Jaco Fourie scoring 75 and Mike Watkinson 47.

Elsewhere, Elton were beaten by just one run in a low-scoring encounter with Blackrod at Leigh Lane.

A win for the home side looked on the cards when the visitors were bowled out for just 91, Kieran Grundy taking 3-24.

But Blackrod’s in-form pro Tush de Zoysa took 6-32 as Elton, who looked set fair with Mark Goddard (32no) at the crease, fell short.

In the Bolton League, Greenmount clinched a Lancs KO spot when they won by four runs at home to Farnworth Social Circle.

Mark Stewart’s side went into the clash in second spot knowing the winner of the last fixture of the campaign would be guaranteed a place in the top four.

And they looked to be on their way to a challenging total after Asif Zakir (65) and Phil Ingram (48) saw them reach 174-4.

But an icredible collapse with the loss of six wickets in as meany runs meant they ended on 177 – Andrew Lane taking 5-42 for Social Circle.

Matthew Leach hit an unbeaten 56 in response and was ably supported at the crease by deputy professional Francois Haasbroek – of Lancashire League side Lowerhouse – who hit 37 runs.

But the chase fell agonisingly short for the visitors thanks to 4-51 from Mark Stewart as they finished on 173 all out.

Greenmount’s win did not prevent them slipping to fourth as both Westhoughton and Egerton also won.