WESTHOUGHTON skipper Rob Houghton says his side have not given up hope of a late bid for the Bolton League title but accepts it is out of their hands.

The Howfeners enjoyed a good weekend last time out when they beat fellow title challengers Farnworth before being the only team to win on Sunday with a quickfire triumph against rock-bottom Tonge.

That made it three successive victories for the St George's Oval side and they now sit fourth – just five points behind leaders Egerton who were the last team to beat them.

But with just two weeks of the season remaining after this weekend's double-header, Houghton admits they need the sides above them to slip up to have a chance of a first title in 11 years.

The captain told The Bolton News: "There is not a lot between the teams but we don't play Egerton or second-placed Farnworth again so cannot affect their results.

"We will not give up and keep playing and then see where we are after the final round of games.

"We have been playing well and last weekend went to plan for us.

"We knew we had to perform to beat Farnworth and we did just that on Saturday.

"The weather forecast was not good for Sunday so we put the covers on and hoped for the best.

"Fortunately, we won the toss so put Tonge in and they have had their struggles this season so we had a chance of bowling them out cheaply.

"We did that then got the runs before the weather turned."

Westhoughton face another double-header this weekend and first up is another tough test at reigning champions Farnworth Social Circle.

The they host Walkden as they look to gain maximum points and keep the title dream alive.

And Houghton hopes they can with several members of the team in good form.

He added: "It will be tough against Social Circle because they have done well again this season and credit to them.

"But if we play like we did against Farnworth then we have a chance – like we do against Walkden on Sunday.

"We have players in form like Qaiser (Abbas) who I have said before is a matchwinner and a fantastic player to have.

"Oliver (Newby) is in good nick and really come to the fore of late and others like Mark Atherton, Sean Dunning and myself are chipping in as well.

"Where there's a chance of the title, there is always a glimmer of hope.

"We just need to keep winning and see where we end up."