FARNWORTH Social Circle retained the Bolton League Anthony Axford Indoor Cricket Competition trophy with a convincing victory over Eagley in the final.

Eagley never recovered from the early loss of their first three batsmen, Joe Baldwin, Will Shuttleworth and Asif Bhojani.

Chris Taylor made Social Circle's early breakthrough with a brilliant catch to get Baldwin out without scoring, Ryan Ayres caught Shuttleworth who scored eight, and Bhojani made 13.

Two run outs and a stumping saw Eagley dismissed for just 50 which posed no trouble for FSC who reached 53-3 in the ninth over.

Jake O’Byrne top scored with 17 which, combined with a good performance behind the stumps, earned him the man-of-the-match award.

Earlier on the final day of the four-week competition at Bolton School, Social Circle beat a young Westhoughton side in the first semi-final. Westhoughton batted first and were all out for 82 with one ball remaining from their 12 overs.

Kieran Paisley top scored with 25 not out, ably supported by Matthew Morris with 18 and Jordan Higham who scored 17.

Again it did not take long for Social Circle – who have been totally dominant in this year's competition – long to win. They needed just nine overs to reach the target score for the loss of just one wicket.

Jake O’Byrne scored 25no and David Tonge 24no.

In the second semi-final, Eagley beat Horwich after posting the highest score of the day – 111-3 – with Shuttleworth 30no, Baldwin 29no and Bhojani 28no.

In reply, Horwich were all out for 82, Dean Morris top scoring with 34 and good fielding from Eagley resulting in four batsmen being run out.

Having won the Lancashire area finals before Christmas Social Circle go on to play a team from Yorkshire at Bolton School on Saturday, February 18, starting at 3.30pm.