Westhoughton threw the Bolton League title race wide open after a sensational last ball victory over championship contenders Tonge.

The home side had made 180-7 with John Partington top scorer on 40 and must have been confident of notching their 11th win of the season when they had Westhoughton tottering at 48-5.

Unfortunately for them it was a case of counting their chickens too soon as Stuart Harrison (55) and Ian Pilkington (57) rescued the visitors with a sixth wicket stand that took the score to 157.

Tonge, with Sikander grabbing 6-82, again had a great opportunity when Westhoughton still needed nine off the last Ian Taylor over with two wickets remaining.

In a dramatic finale the first ball was smacked for six, the next ended with a single and a run out, followed by three balls without scoring. There was no one cooler than Peter Wilcox, however, who took full advantage of Tonge not having their fielders all back on the ropes by cracking the last ball for four. The defeat leaves Tonge level with Kearsley, but a point adrift of Farnworth.

Kearsley took full advantage of their rivals slipping up as they strolled home by five wickets at Farnworth Social Circle. The home side made 182-8 as Richard Powell took 4-43 before Paul Berry took over. The league's leading batsmen continued his brilliant form to finish unbeaten on 83 as he safely sterred his side home.

Eagley beat Walkden earlier in the season, but the chance of a double quickly evaporated when they were dismissed for a paltry 135. They were reduced to 32-4 after 22 overs and could never come to terms with the bowling of John Smith 4-52 or Bernard Reidy 3-48. In reply Walkden lost their only wicket at 28 as Tony Keays 53 and Steve Clarkson 57 saw them home safely.

Egerton skipper Wayne Harper played a big part in his side's six wickets win at Greenmount. He took 4-53 as Greenmount made 191-9 with pro Andy Williams hitting 81. In reply Egerton cruised home by six wickets with pro Tinus Enslin again in the runs with 83, as Harper chipped in with a valuable 45.

Heaton professional Sainsbury and David Sandiford rescued Heaton with a stand of 145 as Astley Bridge dismissed them for 181. In reply the visitors were skittled out for just 99 with Sainsbury the hero again finishing with a remarkable 8-39. Leaders Farnworth had to thank the Little Lever fieldsman for twice dropping their star Australian professional Brad Hodge enabling them to hang on at 211-8. Hodge went on to make 107 with Simon Ainsworth taking 4-24 and Mel Whittle 3-84.

Earlier Little Lever had made a respectable 267-7 with Australian amateur Jason Swift scoring his first century of the season finishing on 133 with Anthony Hilton 56.

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