HORWICH RMI maintained their position at the top of the Bolton League second XI championship on Sunday with a hard-fought two-wicket win against Farnworth Social Circle at the Recreation Ground.

Chasing a target of 147, Horwich were kept under pressure by Simon Harrison who took 4-53, but Joe Settle stood firm and guided his side home with a fine unbeaten 71.

Stephen French (58) and Chris Lane (29) had earlier set the platform for Social's total of 146-8, but Andy Taylor 3-26 and Jack Berry 3-46 helped peg them back.

Bradshaw kept up the chase with a comprehensive win against Blackrod at The Rigbys.

Batting first, Bradshaw racked up 221-7 thanks mainly to Elliot Dargen (79), Jordan Evans (48) and Nick Palmer (41) with Daniel Cooke's 3-29 the pick of the bowling.

The Blackrod reply never got going with Craig Bailey's 28 the only resistance as they were bowled out for just 83. Ryan Garner (3-13) led the way with the ball.

Daisy Hill are fourth following a six-wicket win against Eagley at St James Street.

Eagley batted first and were always struggling against the bowling of Joe Leeming (3-22) and Darshan Varsani (3-24) with only Mick Craig's 30 providing any resistance in a total of 87 all out.

Ste Kenny, with an unbeaten 34, and Mayank Patel (33) then helped Daisy to a comfortable victory.

There was an exciting game at Huyton Road where Heaton just held on to beat their hosts Adlington by six runs in a game reduced to 28 overs.

Chasing 132 to win, Adlington had useful contributions from Elliot Lee (25), Gavin Porter (24) and Daryl Hitchen (24) but finished agonisingly short on 125-7 with Heaton's bowlers spreading out the wickets.

Heaton's total of 131-4 had been built around 55 from Mark Greenhalgh and 32 from Ryan Tierney as Lee completed a good day personally with 3-28.

Kearsley rattled up 218-6 on their way to a 117-run win against Astley Bridge at Springfield Road.

Neil Thompson was the star of the show with a brilliant 119 for Kearsley with Joe Capstick (29) and Jack Scott (26) providing support.

Astley Bridge never really got going in their run chase and it was only thanks to a late flurry from Ramesh Patel (36) and Aadil Patel (17) that they managed to reach 101-9.

Craig Cooke took 5-29 to help Little Hulton dismiss Golborne for 109 on their way to a five-wicket win at The Old Vicarage.

Mohammed Kamal (28) and Sam Wells (22) provided the bulk of Golborne's runs.

But Little Hulton eased to a comfortable win with Harrison Calvert making 29 and Dave Walker an unbeaten 29.

The only other clash to beat the weather last Sunday produced a real thriller in a game reduced to 25 overs at Green Lane where Standish held off a determined Tonge by just five runs.

Standish batted first and scored an impressive 187-6 in their 25 overs, thanks mainly to 43 from Mike Hadfield, and 30 each from James Bazeley and John Wellman.

Any thoughts of a comfortable victory were soon shelved as Wayne Cook (65) and Sehran Khan (50) threatened to take Tonge to a remarkable win.

However, only Mohsin Khan (23) was able to keep up the chase as Peter Walder claimed 3-32 and Tonge finished on 182-7.