KEARSLEY vice-captain Darren Whittle believes conquerors Farnworth will push Bolton League leaders Farnworth Social Circle all the way in the title race following a 165-run defeat to them on Saturday.

Farnworth travelled to the Springfield Road looking to maintain their 100 per cent record this season.

Adil Nisar produced the goods once again with a knock of 77, before Ross Sutton added 47. Imran Mirza hit 65 and skipper Simon Booth smashed seven sixes on his way to 59 to post a target of 279-5.

Whittle led by example with the bat adding 65 to the Kearsley total in reply, but the bowling attack of Mirza (6-24) and professional Dinuka Hettiarachchi (4-31) had them all out for 114.

It was only Kearsley's third defeat of the season, and Whittle believes they will not come up against many teams better than Farnworth this year.

“They are a very strong side,” Whittle said. “They batted really well and to get 279 it really took the game away from us.

“Simon Booth hit seven sixes late on which just made the task even more difficult for us.

“It was always going to be tough without our two best batsmen and our pro, but their batting performance was superb.

“Farnworth and Farnworth Social Circle are the top two sides in this league and if they don't finish above Social Circle then I believe they will definitely come second.”

Meanwhile, Social Circle continued their unbeaten start to the season with victory away to high-flying Walkden.

Skipper Matt Parkinson scored 32 and Ryan Ayres knocked 42 as the Piggott Park outfit opened the batting.

An important addition of 56 from Richard Hamblett late in the innings pushed the visitors' score up to 193 before they were bowled out – Sayed Shah (5-63) and Tahir Maqsood (4-44) did the damage with the ball.

Dave Mather and Ryan Ayres were both in superb form with the ball for Social Circle, with each claiming a five-wicket haul as Walkden were bowled out for 86. Maqsood top scored with an unbeaten 23.

Heaton are back up to third in the table following a five-wicket win at home to Lostock.

Nick Jeffs starred with the bat again for Lostock scoring 101 not out and Rob Holgate hit 33 as the visitors posted a total of 250-9.

It took a full team effort to respond to the huge target, and Matt Fray led the way with a knock of 70.

Declan Dudley then hit 35 before Haroon Farhat scored 33. Dave Hamilton fired 55 and Joe Ball finished on 44no as the target was achieved with five wickets to spare.

Fourth-placed Horwich secured a routine victory against basement club Tonge.

Deputy professional Chris Holt took 6-50 and Lewis Haydock 3-14 as Tonge were bowled out for 121. Daniel Holt top scored with 27.

Openers Tom Billington (57no) and Phil Ingram (40) put on an 84-run partnership to help Horwich reach the target for the loss of only one wicket.