By Mikael McKenzie

MARK Stewart is within 15 wickets of the all-time Bolton League wicket-taking record after tearing through Heaton’s batting line up on Saturday.

The Greenmount stalwart bowled his 48th wicket of the season during his six-wicket haul which saw Heaton set his side a target of 238-8.

Imran Mirza struck 70 and Haroon Farhat scored 73 as second-bottom Heaton were eyeing up a shock victory.

But Greenmount captain Phil Ingram had other ideas and he led the reply with the bat smashing 134 not out en route to building an opening partnership of 198 with Andrew Bowker (64). Travis Townsend came to the crease in third chipping in with 15 as the league-leaders achieved their target for the loss of only one wicket inside 34 overs.

The only bowler to have taken more wickets than Stewart this term is Farnworth Social Circle’s Dave Mather – and he produced the goods again on Saturday as Horwich were the victims.

David Tonge struck 15 fours and six sixes on his way to 135 as the Piggot Park side attacked from the off. Team-mates Chris Barrow (47no), Liam Ashworth (34) and Rameez Alam (32) also scored high to post 282-3.

Babar Naeem (39) and David Morris (42no) led the response but the rest of their side could not find a way to fend off Mather who bowled 6-96.

Second-placed Farnworth kept up the pressure on Greenmount with a three-wicket victory at home to Kearsley.

Chris Wilson (4-43) and Kamran Sajid (3-41) caused havoc with the ball as the top-end of the batting line up failed to reach double figures. It was left to Charlie Dorsey (60) and Richard Hamblett (46) to score high and enable the visitors to post a healthy 193-9.

In response Adil Nisar starred with the bat hitting 70 and Chris Baxendale and Melbourne Austin both struck 37, with the latter not out.

Saeed Anwar Jnr (4-59) and Naz Ahmed (3-33) impressed with the ball but Farnworth blitzed their way to the target with three wickets remaining.

Saturday's Results

Astley Bridge 104-4, Westhoughton 101. Astley Bridge won by 6 wkts.

Bradshaw 184-8, Walkden 186-2. Walkden won by 8 wkts.

Eagley 300-7, Tonge 110. Eagley won by 190 runs.

Egerton 192, Little Lever 49. Egerton won by 143 runs.

Farnworth 197-7, Kearsley 193-9. Farnworth won by 3 wkts.

Farnworth Social Circle 282-3, Horwich 196-8. Farnworth SC won by 86 runs.

Greenmount 241-1, Heaton 238-8. Greenmount won by 9 wkts.