Walkden started the season with a couple of hiccups, but their recent return to form has had an ominous look about it, even though their latest win was only by five runs over leaders Westhoughton.

The victory was crucial, even at this early stage, as it gave one of the pretenders to Walkden's championship crown, a warning that the title will not be relinquished without a fight.

Walkden raced to 238-4, with David Smith 93 and pro Peter Roach 86, combining in a 142-run partnership.

In reply, Westhoughton never gave up the chase as they fell to their first defeat of the season. Steve Parker hit 88 and Antonio Mayers 82, but their efforts just fell short. Phil Ingram took 4-74 and Smith 4-36.

New leaders are Greenmount, whose declaration, six overs short of their allotted amount, proved decisive as they beat Farnworth with just over three overs remaining.

The home side smashed 280-5 with pro Nishit Shetty hitting his second century of the season with 107 and he shared in a 186-runs-partnership with Gary Chadwick, who hit 83. Mark Fallon chipped in with an unbeaten 46.

Farnworth were never in the hunt and were all out for 173, despite 50 from Paul Grundy. Mark Stewart took 4-43.

Astley Bridge added to Tonge's woes with a four-wicket win. Tonge pro Nisar hit 104 and Danny Rees 40 in Tonge's 223, with Paul Burton taking 6-57. In reply Simon Entwistle hit 66, Andy Clegg 44 and Dalagoda an unbeaten 52 to see Bridge home.

Bradshaw were far too good for Farnworth Social Circle, who fell to a 70 runs defeat. Bradshaw made 246-5 with David Morris 78, Brad Newman 76 and Neil Johnson a quickfire 39.

Circle's Ryan Cunningham hit 44 but he was the only real resistance as Lee Sutton with 5-72, and Adam Barton-Wells with 5-42 bowled them out for 176.

Egerton hung on to deny Kearsley. Rick Northrop hit 56 to help the visitors to 200-9, which frustrated Kearsley who had earlier posted 228-7.

Pro Zander Debruyn hit 47, but Chris Monks was the highest scorer with 68.

Heaton moved themselves up to the dizzy heights of fourth with a comprehensive four-wicket win at Eagley.

Pro Hirwani took seven wickets at a cost of just 31 runs in a superb spell which restricted Eagley to 160, with only Dave Shuttleworth, (58), able to deal with the spin.

In reply, Mike Ward finished 68 not out to ensure victory.

Little Lever and Horwich combined to produce a fascinating game that just swayed in the visitors' favour by two wickets. David White and Andy Taylor each took four wickets as Lever made 148. In reply, Horwich struggled to 149-8 with White 38, and Jon Partington 33.