JUST four matches managed to beat the dreadful pre-season weather on the opening weekend of the Bolton League 2nd XI Stafford Trophy competition, but all four proved interesting games with some excellent early-season performances.

Highlight of the day was undoubtedly the innings of Tim Barrow for Farnworth Social Circle as he helped them to an emphatic victory over neighbours Farnworth at Bridgeman Park.

Batting first, Social rattled up a very impressive 286-4 in their 45 overs with Barrow carrying his bat in making 158 not out off 147 balls with eight fours and 10 sixes.

Matthew Knight helped add 99 for the third wicket, and his 38 was the next highest score.

In reply, only Shujat Ali with 21 managed to provide much resistance as Andrew Brooks 4-34 and Joshua Roscoe 3-32 combined to help dismiss the hosts for just 118 in reply.

There was another century-maker at Chew Moor where youngster Zach Hollis, making his debut for Horwich RMI, celebrated with a run-a-ball unbeaten 115 including 13 fours and four sixes.

Next highest scorer in a useful 223-6 was Danny Hornby who posted 21 while Ryan Crombie bowled a good spell to take 3-23 for Lostock.

Despite Stephen Kaye making 33, the Lostock reply never really got going and they eventually made just 113 in reply.

Another youngster, Owen Moss, led the way with 3-26 with four other bowlers sharing the remaining wickets.

Youngsters were also to the fore as Bradshaw defeated Westhoughton by eight wickets at St George's Oval.

Having restricted Westhoughton to 120, Bradshaw's run chase was led by youngster Cian Dickinson who made an unbeaten 55 to help see his side home with overs to spare, as Jamie Legg, with 38, provided good support.

The Westhoughton total had been built around a very patient innings by another youngster, Niall Dunn, who carried his bat for 46 with the main support coming from James Burrow who made 33.

Tom de Gelder took 3-18 as a disciplined bowling performance restricted the home side to 120-6.

Tonge defeated Adlington by 23 runs in the day's closest game.

Batting first they managed to post a reasonably healthy 154-8 thanks in the main to an unbeaten 50 by Nigel Partington and 20 from Lloyd Sayers as the Adlington bowlers shared the wickets between them.

In reply only three men reached double figures with 41 from Andrew Chamberlain being the only significant contribution.

A superb spell of 6-13 by Mohshin Khan totally undermined Adlington as they collapsed from a relatively strong position at 84-2 to 131 all out.