HORWICH and Bradshaw are the only two BCL Premiership sides to record back-to-back wins in their opening two games of the season.

Following up their opening day win against Kearsley, Horwich recorded a resounding victory at Eagley on Saturday.

Tom Billington (29) and Brett Pelser (58) impressed with the bat as Horwich racked up a total of 191-9.

Agha Salman did the most damage with the ball producing figures of 4-51, while Will Shuttleworth took 3-54.

Opener Michael Ward knocked 38 in reply but Liam Bones’ six-wicket haul for 36 runs, along with skipper Phil Ingram’s 3-20, had Eagley bowled out for 95.

Bradshaw continued their 100-per-cent record with victory over Farnworth.

The Rigbys outfit bowled their hosts out for 143 as Scott Howarth (3-28), Jordan Mason (3-14) and Phil Dickinson (2-33) shared the wickets.

Fifth-placed batsman Kamran Younas was the only one of note knocking 40.

A lower target of 129 was set in reply and Stuart Hornby (43) and Marwan Mohammed (34) led the way as it was chased down with two balls and three wickets remaining.

Meanwhile, half-centuries from Rob Houghton and Qaiser Abbas led Westhoughton to victory against Walkden.

Tayler Hayes hit 25 as the Oval outfit opened the batting. Rafal Afridi added 59 in the middle order before Tahir Maqsood chipped in with 24 not out late on to post a total of 153-9.

Oliver Newby was the pick of the bowlers taking 3-38.

But Howfeners skipper Haughton led the response with an opening knock of 54no and Abbas added 55 as the reduced target was seen off with seven wickets to spare.

Lostock kick-started their season with a narrow win at home to Heaton.

Wicketkeeper Daniel Vincent scored 59, Peter Flanagan struck 31 and David Flanagan hit 35 as Lostock achieved a score of 186-8 in their rain-reduced 40 overs.

Muhammad Irfan took majority of the wickets, bowling 5-55.

Heaton’s innings got off to a very slow start until Oliver Sutcliffe entered the crease to score 39.

A seventh-wicket partnership of David Hamilton (37no) and Gary Garner (38no) provided hope, but rain hampered any late fireworks as Lostock were awarded the win by the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Kearsley’s powerful batting performance helped them to a first win of the season against Farnworth Social Circle.

The Piggott Park outfit started well with the bat as opener David Tonge hit 40. But the score began to look bleak when the tally reached 107-8.

Wicketkeeper Jake O’Bryne added a crucial 36 and Chris Barrow hit 24 off 13 balls as the late order bumped the score up to 161 before eventually being bowled out.

Dave Mather and Devendra Bundela impressed with the ball, taking 5-77 and 3-40 respectively.

With a revised target of 130 set, Kearsley had 33 overs to chase it down.

And Chris Baxendale led with the bat, knocking 68 before professional Bundela stuck 34 when he turned his hand to the bat.

Skipper Grant Cordin was delighted with the result and said: “It was a very good performance and much needed after last week.

“Social are a good team with two or three of the best amateur’s in the league so it is a big scalp for us.”

Results

Eagley 95, Horwich 191-9. Horwich won by 96 runs.

Farnworth 143, Bradshaw 129-7. Bradshaw won by 3 wkts.

Kearsley 131-3. Farnworth Social Circle 161. Kearsley won by run rate.

Lostock 186-8, Heaton 163-6. Lostock won by 18 runs.

Westhoughton 145-3, Walkden 153-9. Westhoughton won by 7 wkts.