BOLTON League’s defence of their Lancashire Inter League title ended almost as soon as it began after they were put into bat by the Liverpool Competition and openers Adil Nisar and Chris Baxendale were dismissed cheaply.

Both Farnworth batsmen failed to make it to double figures as Nisar fell for a duck and Baxendale went for five runs.

They never really recovered from that nightmare start as the visitors’ four-pronged attack ensured wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Wigan’s Ryan Parry finished with the best figures of 3-24, backed up by Ormskirk’s Liam Hurt, who took 3-31, while Chris Stenhouse, of Birkenhead Park, and John Dotters, of Rainford, both took two wickets.

Farnworth Social Circle’s Dave Tonge, who hit 30 on his home track, was the only Bolton League batsman to put up any kind of resistance before captain Phil Dickinson came to the crease at 96-7.

The former Bradshaw captain – one of only three surviving members from last year’s final – carved out 44 late in the innings to help push the Bolton League score to 145 before they were bowled out inside 37 overs.

That was never going to be enough as the Liverpool Competition cruised to victory, with eight wickets to spare, in their very first match in the competition.

Ormskirk opener Andy Baybutt carried his bat with an unbeaten 79, while big-hitting Guy Roberts, of Lytham, rattled off 40 not out after being pushed up the order to number four.

Farnworth’s Chris Wilson (1-15) and Kearsley’s Joe McCann (1-24) were the only Bolton League bowlers to take a wicket.