DARCY Lever's Aaqib Pervez was the star of the show in last weekend's Bolton League Second XI Premiership with a superb innings of 164 against Heaton.

Pervez received great support from Arslan Javad as they powered their side to an impressive 317-4.

Waqar Ali, with 4-39, then made sure Heaton never really threatened their target despite 38 from Jack Sleigh and Nathan Donaldson hitting 31.

Leaders Farnworth Social Circle almost matched Darcy's total as they rattled up 313-4 against Kearsley.

The innings was set up by a brilliant opening stand of 218 between Stephen French, who made the third century of the day, and Liam Ashworth, who fell just short on 93, as Joe Capstick took 3-78.

Kearsley never got going in reply as Joshua Roscoe took 5-60 and Andrew Brooks 3-30, with only Jack Pellowe (21) and a late flurry from Raj Pushparajah and Jack Scott offering much resistance.

In contrast, Little Hulton and Bradshaw shared just 93 runs between them at the Old Vicarage after the home side were tumbled out for just 45 batting first.

Youngsters Jack Stanley and Ben Hamilton were the only men to make double figures as Jamie Legg returned an impressive 5-12.

Bradshaw did not have it all their own way, losing five wickets in knocking off the runs led by Ryan Garner's 21 not out, with Neil Jarvis taking 3-23.

Westhoughton were another side to struggle with the bat as Horwich RMI bowled them out for exactly 100 at St George's Oval.

Niall Dunn made a determined 29 and there was a late flurry from Ryley Walton, but in the main they struggled to cope with Kaleem Asghar, who took 4-33, and Kieran Barlow (3-17).

Horwich lost a couple of quick wickets but reached their target for the loss of just one more as Phil Cavill made 43 and Zach Hollis 45no.

Astley Bridge were made to work for a four-wicket win against Farnworth to keep them in second place.

Chasing 144 to win, they were grateful for a fine 56 from Ady Cooper and 22 from Rob Hitchen for making the bulk of their runs as Daniel Joynson took 3-33.

Earlier, Shujat Ali (38) and Nathan Donaldson (44) had been key to Farnworth reaching 143 all out as Nick Ford took 4-44.

Arguably the shock of the day came at Victory Road in the Association Division where Little Lever defeated second-placed Eagley by a comprehensive margin of 106 runs.

Batting first, they posted 234-9 as Tuseef Ahmed made 51, Matt Mills and Rory Hulmes 34 and Don Heyes 31, despite Tom Mitchell taking 3-55 and Gareth Monk 3-43.

Heyes then completed a good day with remarkable figures of 4-6, backed up well by Tamoor Jehangir, with 3-17, as Eagley were dismissed for 128 in reply.

Leaders Lostock were pushed all the way by third-placed Adlington before edging their visitors out by just three runs in a thriller at Chew Moor.

Batting first, youngster Sam Barlow led the way with a fine 64 aided by Lucky Issa (30) and Stephen Kaye, with 29, as Ruth Leese returned 4-37 in a total of 185-8.

Adlington gave the chase a real go but Lostock managed to keep taking wickets to peg them back, and despite Eddie Haddon making 58 and both Andrew Leyland and Zac Green passing 20, they fell just short on 182-7.

A remarkable game at Higham Park saw Atherton edge out Golborne by just eight runs despite having been dismissed themselves for just 68.

Just two players had managed double figures against a brilliant spell from Joe Peacock, who swept away the batting in taking a stunning 8-13.

Golborne found batting no easier with only two men reaching as many as 12, as Paul Woodend and Jordan Knight exploited the bowler-friendly conditions to take 6-19 and 4-20 respectively.

Tonge moved up the table courtesy of a 116-run win against bottom club Blackrod at Castle Hill.

Daniel Holt dominated his side’s batting, leading them to a total of 199 with a splendid 129 supported well by Seb Schofield’s 24.

Jacob Ashworth, with 4-28, and Tony Tipping (3-49) bowled well for the visitors.

In reply, only Nathan Mayor, with 33, made much headway as Holt took 3-16 and George Leather 3-36 in a total of just 83.

Walkden skittled Daisy Hill for 111 despite a good start from Mike Leeming (29) and Mayank Patel (31), with five men making ducks as Cameron Jones took 4-17 and Mohammed Razzaq 4-43.

The pair then enjoyed themselves with the bat as they raced to their target in just 17 overs – Razzaq unbeaten on 40 and Jones scoring 35.