REIGNING Bolton League champions Farnworth Social Circle will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointment in the Hamer Cup as they bid to retain their title.

Matt Parkinson’s men collapsed to a surprising 111-run defeat at home to league title rivals Greenmount in the Hamer Cup semi-finals.

The result was all the more surprising considering their stunning recent form.

They went into that last four encounter on the back of seven straight wins in all competitions, including a comprehensive 128-run victory over Tonge in the league last Saturday.

Social Circle’s win against the basement club left them in fourth place in the table, just six points behind leaders Egerton.

And the Piggott Park outfit will be hoping to repeat their victory in the reverse fixture earlier in the season when they travel to Walkden tomorrow.

Social Circle are now one of four sides who have a realistic chance of the title, although Bradshaw in fifth and Westhoughton in sixth may question that assumption.

They are both on 60 points, 12 behind the table-toppers, who travel to Rigbys Lane tomorrow.

Will Halton’s Egerton side do not have history in their favour as they attempt to clinch their first ever title.

They have finished runners-up on four occasions, finishing just a point behind Farnworth in 2000.

This will, of course, be their final chance to claim the Warburton Cup – the Bolton League champions’ trophy – as they are move to the Greater Manchester League next season.

Greenmount, who are currently a point behind Egerton in second place and will also be leaving the league at the end of the season, remain on course for the double following their cup victory over Social Circle last weekend.

They visit bottom-placed Tonge tomorrow while third-placed Farnworth – who are four points off the top spot – travel to Astley Bridge and Westhoughton are at Eagley.

Fixtures: Astley Bridge v Farnworth, Bradshaw v Egerton, Eagley v Westhoughton, Kearsley v Horwich, Little Lever v Heaton, Tonge v Greenmount, Walkden v Farnworth SC.