HORWICH took a giant leap away from the bottom three in the Premiership Division as they beat Lostock in a relegation showdown.

Horwich skipper Phil Ingram bowled 5-52 and Liam Bones took 4-76 as Lostock were bowled out for 158. David Flanagan was the only batsman of note scoring 47.

The Recreation Ground outfit started their innings slowly as both opening batsmen fell for a combined score of 11.

But then Fazil Hassan (40) and Brett Pelser (87 not out) put on an 110-run third-wicket partnership which helped Horwich to a five-wicket win, despite the best efforts of Flanagan (4-67) with the ball.

The win moved Horwich nine points clear of the drop zone, but captain Ingram says his side have always been focused on the clubs above them rather than those behind.

“Those bottom three places have never been in the forefront of our minds,” Ingram said. “I have all the confidence in the team and we have to start aiming for a top-four finish to get a Lancashire Knockout spot.

“We have had a decent season really. Our position does not paint a true picture of how we play our cricket.

“We have progressed far in all the cup competitions and we have just come out short in the closer games.

“There is no team we are particularly bothered by – we know we give anybody a decent game.”

Bottom side Eagley picked up their first win of the season at home to Farnworth Social Circle.

Jake O’Byrne (23), Chris Barrow (27) and Tim Barrow (29) all hit decent knocks as the Piggott Park outfit were bowled out for 151.

Agha Salman (3-57) and Will Shuttleworth (6-20) did the damage with the ball.

And Eagley made easy pickings of the target as professional Salman scored 81. Shuttleworth then added 35no to wrap up the win with only three wickets down.