TWO sides are still flying the flag for Bolton in the Lancashire Knockout after wins for Horwich and Egerton on Sunday.

Horwich had a late change of opposition when Vertex were kicked out of the competition and replaced by reinstated Liverpool and District Combination side Rainford.

But it did not seem to affect them too much as they got to work with the bat as openers Tom Billington and skipper Phil Ingram put on a partnership of 69 for the first wicket, before both fell victim to star Rainford bowler Andrew Davies (3-43).

After Dean Morris was dismissed cheaply Brett Pelser and Marcus Haydock took the charge to the visitors.

The pair put on a fourth-wicket stand of 136 before Pelser was out for 80 and Haydock followed after scoring 61.

By that time, the score had surpassed the 200-mark and Horwich closed on 243-5.

It was a big target for the Merseysiders and they struggled with the bat.

Only Joe Noctor, with 42, managed to get into double figures with Morris (3-30) the pick of the Horwich bowling attack as they were skittled out for just 108.

It meant Horwich won by 135 runs and progressed to an away tie at Burnley in the next round.

Egerton joined them in the last 16 after a 52-run triumph on home soil against Todmorden.

After an encouraging Greater Manchester Cricket League Premier Division victory at Denton West 24 hours earlier, Will Halton's men batted first.

And they were soon piling on the runs with Mahela Udawatta (53) and Daniel Partington (44 not out) the main scorers.

In reply, Kelly Smuts struck 59 for Todmorden but they fell short on 118 all out thanks to good bowling by Lancashire youngster Matt Parkinson (3-25) and skipper Halton who returned fine figures of 4-32.

Egerton will host Lytham in the next round on Sunday, July 2.

Three other local sides were dumped out at the weekend.

Farnworth Social Circle faced Lowerhouse and lost by five wickets.

Batting first, Chris Barrow top scored with 43 for Social Circle but good bowling from Ben Heap (4-17) and professional Okert Erasmus (3-44) limited them to 125 all out.

Lowerhouse's Dean Barlow hit 34 in the reply and despite two wickets for Jay Chhana, it was the opposition that progressed after reaching 129-5.

Westhoughton also exited the competition after an unsuccessful run chase at Rochdale.

Ben Chapman hit 52 for the hosts but Qaiser Abbas (4-33) meant Rochdale finished on 118-9.

But no batsman got going for the Howfeners as Mo Bux (5-25) and Michael Harling (3-41) ripped through the line-up to skittle Westhoughton out for 75 as they lost by 43 runs.

Lostock also lost away at Leyland after fielding first.

The hosts saw opener Pabasara Waduge hit 77 and Henry Thompson (40) chip in on their way to a total of 173-9, David Flanagan the pick of the Lostock bowlers with 4-18.

Robert Holgate top scored in the reply with an unbeaten 21 but Thompson took 4-35 as Lostock fell short on 139-8 to lose by 34 runs.

Results

Egerton 170-6, Todmorden 118. Egerton won by 52 runs.

Horwich 243-5, Rainford 108. Horwich win by 135 runs.

Farnworth Social Circle 125, Lowerhouse 129-5. Lowerhouse won by 5 wkts.

Rochdale 118-9, Westhoughton 75. Rochdale won by 43 runs.

Leyland 173-9, Lostock 139-8. Leyland won by 34 runs.