JUST three games managed to beat the weather on the opening day of the Bolton League 2nd XI competition last weekend with the Association section being completely washed out.

The games that managed to be completed in the Premiership Section were all drastically reduced in overs as the rain proved to be the main winner.

Westhoughton got off to a flying start with a 32-run win against Farnworth in a game reduced to 25 overs per side.

Batting first they rattled up a very useful 143-7 in their allotted overs. Sean Dunning led the way with an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls, with Malcolm Strong (39) and Ben Harrison (22) backing him up well as Matthew Hicks took 4-43.

Hicks was then one of three Farnworth batsmen to make more than 20 along with Michael Daley and Arron Rushworth, but none were able to make a decisive contribution as Farnworth were dismissed for just 111 in reply.

Strong completed a good performance by taking 3-26, as did Charlie Honour who finished with identical figures.

Bradshaw also had a convincing win as they defeated Blackrod by 51 runs at Vicarage Road.

The visitors batted first and scored quickly enough for them to be able to declare their innings early on 135-5 after 19 overs.

Openers Ross Dickinson (39) and Elliot Dargan (38) set the tone with a stand of 72 in 11 overs and then Robert Hardman hit 26 to help keep the run rate at more than seven an over.

Tony Tipping picked up 3-39 in a vain attempt to slow down the scoring.

An opening stand of 45 in 10 overs looked to be setting up a solid platform for the run chase but once Chris Readey was dismissed for a rapid 41 the rest of the innings quickly subsided to just 81 all out. Thomas de Gelder with 4-28 and Ian Ross 3-28 did most of the damage for Bradshaw.

Farnworth Social Circle beat Daisy Hill by eight wickets in another game reduced to 25 overs a side at Piggott Street.

The visitors went in first and posted a handy looking 133-5 in their allocation.

Darshan Varsani, with a fine 52, led the way with useful support coming from Kishor Pindoria who made 22. Simon Harrison took 3-34 for the home side.

Social soon found themselves 1-1 but a partnership of 121 between Stephen French and Liam Ashworth took them to the brink of victory.

French was eventually dismissed for a fine 65, while Ashworth finished unbeaten on 57 as they reached their target in just over 19 overs.