Only the games involving the top three sides survived another rain-affected weekend in the Bolton League yesterday.

In what is now becoming a two-horse race for the title, Farnworth Social Circle and Bradshaw both secured wins against clubs at the wrong end of the table.

The league leaders eased to a comfortable six-wicket win at second-from-bottom Tonge, while rivals Bradshaw emerged victorious by 14 runs from their close encounter at home to Eagley.

In the only other game played on Saturday, third-placed Westhoughton beat mid-table Horwich by 47 runs.

After hearing their second-placed rivals had managed to get a game started, top side Farnworth SC were determined to get some points on the board at Castle Hill but they had to wait until after 4pm before beginning their reduced 30 overs game.

Chris Barrow was the pick of the bowlers taking 4-33 off 12 overs as the visitors skittled Tonge for 117-8 with Craig Buckley's 42 not out the only score of note for the hosts.

In reply, Josh Bohannon top-scored with 41 and pro Rameez Alam also hit 20 as the leaders cruised to a winning total of 120-4.

After a delayed start of their own, second-placed Bradshaw claimed a 14-run victory over bottom side Eagley, with Gary Garner hitting three fours for the hosts as he top scored with 39 not out.

With the innings reduced to 33 overs, Nick Lester also notched up 20 runs as the Rigbys totalled 121-6.

The pick of the Eagley bowlers was captain Danny Counsell who took 4-53 off his 16 overs including one maiden.

Due to more rain, the second innings were reduced to 30 overs and it was the turn of the Bradshaw bowlers to turn on the style. 

With Eagley requiring 115 to win, Steve Foster took 5-39 in four overs, including back-to-back wickets in the 13th, while pro Saeed Anwar Jnr bowled 5-37 off 10 overs as the visitors collapsed to 59-5. 

The only batting of note came from Salman with 33 as the bottom side were all out for 100 with two overs remaining.

Westhoughton batted first in their reduced 28 over game at Horwich,

Daniel Naylor top-scored with 37 followed by keeper Kieran Paisley with 30 as the visitors notched up 147-9. 

Adam Street took 3-53 off 10 overs while pro Babar Naeem took 3-43 off 11 overs for the hosts.

More rain disruption saw Horwich's reply reduced to 25 overs with a revised target of 134 to win, but Kieran Edwards' 7-47 washed away any hopes the hosts may have had off victory as they were skittled for 87.

Opener Naeem top-scored with 42 with fifth batsmen Dave Morris hitting 21 but Westhoughton won by 47 runs.

The other four fixtures - Astley Bridge v Egerton, Walkden v Farnworth, Little Lever v Greenmount and Kearsley v Heaton - were all abandoned without a ball being bowled.