FARNWORTH have been drawn against Hyde in the second round of the National Knockout following a 22-ball bowl-out victory against Clifton on Sunday.

With rain making the pitch at Lavender Road unplayable for the second time over the weekend, competition rules stated the outcome must be decided on the day via a bowl-out.

But it was not your conventional bowl-out as each side had to pick five players to bowl twice instead of everybody bowling once.

Farnworth's team consisted of Imran Mirza, Ian McLellan, Ross Sutton, Chris Wilson and Nakash Qamar.

And it was former Heaton star Mirza who stole the show hitting the stumps three times – handing his side a 3-2 victory.

Wilson and Qamar both struck once but as they were full toss deliveries, they were disallowed.

The win sets up a tie with Hyde who knocked fellow Bolton League side Darcy Lever out with a 2-1 bowl-out victory on Sunday.

Farnworth captain Simon Booth said: “Both teams wanted to play but it just didn't stop raining.

"It was even raining when we did the bowl-out.

“The bowls-outs are different in the National Knockout but it went to sudden death and each bowler ended up having nearly four bowls each.

“I only know a bit about Hyde. They play in the Cheshire League and have some very good players.

“Jason Whittaker used to play in the Bolton League and is Ross Sutton's old PE teacher so that will be interesting.

“Harry Dearden is almost Lancashire quality so they do have some good players and it will be a great game for the neutral.”

The other tie involving a Bolton club on Sunday saw Leyland knock Horwich out of the first round via a coin toss.