ROB Holgate believes Lostock are within touching distance of securing their Premiership status after a crucial victory away at winless Atherton on Saturday.

Lostock’s third win from 10 matches was secured in landslide fashion, by 195 runs defending a target of 266.

A series of useful contributions all the way down complemented professional Brad Williams’ run-a-ball 52 on the way to 265-9.

That total included an unbroken 10th-wicket stand of 39 between stand-in captain Holgate (17) and Tom Sheen (21), the latter who then starred with the ball.

New ball seamer Sheen wreaked havoc amongst the Atherton batting order as they were skittled for 70 in just 23.4 overs, returning stunning figures of 6-17 from 10 overs.

Holgate also struck twice and affected a run out as the visitors, third-bottom, moved 14 points clear of Daisy Hill and 19 clear of Atherton, who are both in the relegation zone.

“It was bit of a battering,” said Holgate, deputising for the injured Geoff Earle (ankle).

“It’s a massive win for us.

“We’re three wins and a bonus point ahead of Atherton and two bonus point wins ahead of Daisy. That gives us a lot of breathing space. We can start looking up rather than down.

“We play Daisy in three weeks, and that’s going to a key game. If we can win that, we’ll be very well placed.

“We’re in touch with Bradshaw just above us (five point gap), so we can definitely climb the table.

“We’re competing against everyone.

“It’s just that learning to get over the line. I think we’ve been better this season than last, which is a good sign because we’re improving.

“We won five games last season. That’s the key - keep improving and keep this group of lads together.

“If we can, we can look to compete a bit higher up the table in the next year or so.”

Lostock’s run to yesterday’s T20 Finals Day proves they can mix it with the big boys in the Bolton League.

On Saturday, they were always in control from the moment openers Tom Senior and Conner Hicklin (39) shared 45 inside 14 overs.

“The openers batted well and set it up,” said Holgate, who admits Earle could return this weekend when they travel to champions Farnworth. “They got through the first 10-15 overs.

“Then Brad came in and ticked it along nicely.

“We lost a few wickets towards the end, but myself and Tom Sheen put on a last wicket partnership of 39. I think that pretty much killed them off.

“We’d lost a bit of impetus towards the end, but we managed to regain it and Tom took it into their innings with the ball. He bowled really, really well. All his wickets were caught.

“Tom’s an away swing bowler who just puts it there on a difficult length for batsmen because they can’t drive it without taking a risk against him. He was allowed to settle into his rhythm.

“It was a good day all round.”

After facing Farnworth on Saturday, Lostock host Horwich the week after before that crucial clash at Daisy Hill (August 4).