EXPLOSIVE Khalid Mahmood set up Manchester Association's march into the semi-finals of the J W Lees Inter League Trophy - and floored the fancied Central Lancs League.

The all-rounder from South West Manchester went to the wicket with the Association wobbling at 47-3 after 15 overs at Stretford.

But when he left 65 minutes later for 72 hurricane runs, including eight massive sixes, his side were 171 and well on their way to their eventual total of 258-6.

That proved way beyond the CLL, who eventually reached 202 but were effectively out of the game at 101-7, as their vaunted batting line-up crumbled in the face of a three-wicket hatchet job by Worsley leg-spinner Simon Harrison and two for - you've guessed it - Mahmood.

Mahmood received invaluable support from Dave Flatley (Swinton Moorside), who was one of the last men out for 62, then Bury's Ammar Baig, who crashed 44 in just 33 minutes to put the seal on the big total.

The CLL never looked likely, in truth, getting anywhere near their target after losing James Rawlinson (Walsden) and skipper Bobby Cross (Heywood) cheaply.

Radcliffe's Ashraf Gorsi seemed capable of leading a charge, but when he fell for 42 the rot really set in. And 34 by Simon Wright (Crompton) and 33 from Stevie Barker (Walsden) were token gestures.

The Association's reward is a tough trip to North Lancs and Cumbria, who toppled last year's winners, the Lancs County League, in a high scoring game at Furness.

The visitors were happy with their 256-6, Dale Pennington making 45 and sharing an 81 opening stand with his Glossop team-mate David Toft, before skipper Paul Green saw his side through with an unbeaten 78.

No worries for the Bolton League, who slammed the Bolton Association at Adlington.

They are now at home to Ribblesdale, who denied a gallant effort by Saddleworth at Whalley to get home with three wickets to spare.

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