THE longest Sunday of the year turned into a marathon for Farnworth before they managed to reach the semi-finals of the Hamer Cup.

It was 9.05pm before they managed to secure a four-wicket victory at Egerton in a match held up by two rain delays.

Dave Tonge hit 116 not out and Tim Heys notched up 53 as Farnworth passed Egerton's total of 201-8 with daylight fading.

Gary Garner hit 50 for the home side, a day after scoring 96 in the league meeting between the two teams.

Heaton were the only other team to book a place in the last four on Sunday, as they secured a surprise seven-wicket victory at Walkden.

Jonathan Fearick's 53 not out helped them beat a Walkden side who were bowled out for 122. Fearick had also taken 3-36 with the ball, while his team-mate Narendra Hirwani claimed 5-32.

Weshoughton's tie against Astley Bridge was finely poised when rain forced them to stop.

A fifth-wicket stand of 46 from Anthony Clegg and Danny Guest helped Astley Bridge set a target of 193-5. In reply, Westhoughton reached 105-4 with 19 overs left. The game continued on Monday.

Kearsley against Greenmount is set to finish on Tuesday (6.30pm). Kearsley will resume on 70-6 with 22 overs left in response to Greenmount's 145 all out.

Greenmount pro Nishit Shetty frustrated the home side, conceding just four runs -- and taking a wicket -- in eight overs.