LITTLE Lever's title-winning captain of 2013 has returned – and he is back with a bang.
Jon Kerrigan – who helped end an 18-year drought by lifting the Bolton Association trophy two years ago – has returned to his previous side after an 18-month spell with Bradshaw.
He will replace Joshua Gent as the captain for the remainder of the season.
And what an impact his return has made on the side – storming to their first win in eight games at home to Heaton.
Adam Carter came agonisingly close to his century – dismissed on 99 – as the Victoria Park side attacked from the off.
Ayaz Hanif added 58 and the returning-skipper Kerrigan scored 42 not out.
Imran Mirza top-scored with 30 in reply but the bowling attack of Mohammed Adnan (4-67) and professional Zain Abbas (3-41) had them dismissed for 165.
Elsewhere, Kearsley edged a high-scoring affair at home to Horwich.
Saeed Anwar Jnr led the way with the bat scoring 106 and Andrew Griffiths knocked his second half-century of the season as the Springfield Road side posted 246-7 – Lewis Haydock was the most notable bowler taking 3-74.
The Recreation Ground side's reply came from David Morris (56) and Phil Cavill (53) who put on a 92-run third-wicket stand. Babar Naeem also added 36 and with 17 wides it set up a close finish – one which favoured the hosts as Mohammed Jameel (4-86) and Anwar Jnr (4-117) dismissed the big hitters.
Mark Atherton and Rob Brown starred with the bat as Westhoughton recorded a comfortable victory against Eagley.
Atherton struck 107 not out and Brown fell four runs short of his century as the Howfeners posted a total of 285-2.
In reply, 16-year-old Will Shuttleworth top-scored with 40 and Asif Bhojani hit 25 but the bowling prowess of Qaisar Abbas (5-42) had them seen off for 139 and ensured Westhoughton maintained in the title hunt.
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