However, what seemed like being a routine victory over lowly Ashton contained a number of twists and turns before Walsden eventually wrapped up maximum points and a 21 run victory with just nine balls to spare.

Rain delayed the start by almost 25 minutes and reduced the game to 46 overs per side.

Walsden won the toss and decided to bat, a decision that Kristian Garland and Rawlinson fully vindicated in an opening stand of 187.

Professional Zafar Zaman bowled fairly tightly for his 5 for 50 haul from 15 overs but the runs flowed from the other end as both Walsden batsmen peppered the boundaries.

Garland included 11 boundaries in his 76 before he became Zaman's first victim.

Professional Rasika Pryadarshana fell first ball and Jamie Shackleton, having survived the hat-trick ball, followed for just three as three wickets were lost for the addition of just 13 runs.

Rawlinson – who also has an unbeaten 99 to his name this season – was in full flow by this time and dominating strike. He found the boundary 19 times and cleared it twice as he reached 127 before dragging Zaman into his stumps.

Zaman added David Blake to his haul but, with Martin Harlow unbeaten on 14, Walsden closed at 237 for 5.

Harlow was soon in action with the ball and removed opener Montcin Hodge cheaply.

Garland ran out Hemant Maisura and a second run out along with wickets for Priyadarshana saw the visitors seemingly down and out at 55 for 5.

Opener Jon Selby fought a rearguard action with 36 but when he became sixth man out it seemed to be all over bar the shouting.

Indeed Ashton were 94 for 7 when Subs Baig joined Siraj Kadeida in the middle.

The pair let loose a barrage of big shots in an entertaining eighth wicket partnership worth 71.

Hearts began to flutter but Elliott Gilford snared Kadeida for 51 .

Baig continued to flay away and he was last man out for an excellent 56, home skipper Chris Dewhirst taking the catch off his own bowling to complete the game.

l Walsden's involvement in the CLL 20/20 competition ended when they lost their final qualifying match against Littleborough on Friday night.

Jamie Shackleton, 39, and James Rawlinson, 34, were the main contributors to Walsden's total of 125 for 7 - Littleborough professional Daryl Smit taking 5 for 15.

The visitors then knocked the runs off for the loss of three wickets - Smith unbeaten on 48.

Littleborough and Crompton - who won two of their three matches via bowl-outs - qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition.