HORWICH stopped Bolton League champions Farnworth Social Circle from cementing their place in history by inflicting their first defeat of the season on Sunday.

After going almost the entire season unbeaten, the Piggott Park outfit fell at the penultimate hurdle.

Connor Dalton (24) and Brett Pelser (22) opened the batting for Horwich as they ran up a tally of 156-8.

Jake Scicluna (46) and Andy Lane (42) led the reply which put Social Circle two points off victory, but Pelser (3-51) and Harry McManus's (3-26) tight bowling stopped their hosts putting any more runs on the board and the champions fell to a one-run defeat.

Walkden remain in second place following a six-wicket win against Lostock.

Rob Holgate scored 34 not out but Walkden skipper Jonathan Fowler (4-49) spearheaded a fine bowling attack that left Lostock stumped on 118-9.

Taylor Hayes led the reply, scoring 44 as Walkden secured a comfortable victory.

Simon Anderton had a knock of 39 as Little Lever defeated Atherton.

Amar Ullah bowled 5-41 as the Victory Road side were dismissed for 148.

In reply, Callum Barlow top scored with 18 but Atherton were bowled out for 83 – 65 runs short of the target.

Blackrod were dealt a bitter blow to their top 10 hopes with a defeat at Bradshaw.

Atiq Uz-Zaman scored 95no, Jake O'Byrne hit 31 and Ashen Silva scored 32 as The Rigbys outfit racked up a total of 169-3 from 33 overs.

A steady opening batting order of Chris Sanderson (25), Thushendra de Zoysa (32) and Graeme Walsh (20) took the reply to the final over, but when Silva (4-41) turned his hand to the ball Blackrod were left stranded on 133-8.

Jack Horrocks (74), Chris Read (44) and Nakash Qumar (30) all scored high as Farnworth posted a score of 217-8 against Darcy Lever.

Ross Sutton (4-23) led the Lavender Road bowling attack which halted Darcy's response at 120-9.

Astley Bridge against Kearsley was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.

Sunday's results

Astley Bridge v Kearsley, match abandoned.

Atherton 83 Little Lever 148, Little Lever won by 65 runs.

Blackrod 133-8 Bradshaw 169-3, Bradshaw won by 36 runs.

Darcy Lever 120-9 Farnworth 217-8, Farnworth won by 97 runs.

Eagley 201-5 Daisy Hill 147, Eagley won by 54 runs.

Farnworth Social Circle 155-9 Horwich 156-8, Horwich won by one run.

Golborne 76 Little Hulton 79-7, Little Hulton won by 3 wkts.

Heaton 205-2 Adlington 201-3, Heaton won by 8 wkts.

Tonge 108-7 Standish 104, Tonge won by 3 wkts.

Walkden 123-4 Lostock 118-9, Walkden won by 6 wkts.