GREENMOUNT captain Andrew Kerr is confident his side can remain challenging at the top end of the table after defeating Egerton on Saturday.

Opening batsmen Phil Ingram and Kerr led their side to an impressive 123-run victory.

Ingram smashed his way to 138 runs hitting 14 fours and six sixes before being bowled out by Amal Dalugoda (2-56) – while partner Kerr fell 10 runs short of his century striking six fours and three sixes.

Travis Townsend added 34 runs as Greenmount posted 275.

Egerton’s reply could not have started any worse as both opening batsmen were dismissed before a single run was scored.

The reliable Mark Stewart (5-41) bowled his fourth five-wicket haul of the season and Ingram took 3-25.

Dalugoda scored a respectable 45no and Scott Martin added 52 but the overs expired with Egerton stuck on 152-9.

After the game skipper Kerr told The Bolton News: “We are hitting our straps now and we are really looking good. Our battling, bowling and fielding are all coming together nicely.

“We set ourselves a good platform which allowed our bowlers to do the damage and they were 60-8 at one point so we were confident of securing the win from there.

“Mark Stewart has been really impressive again this year. He is our Mr Reliable and we know we can rely on him. He is part of a really good bowling unit that we have.

“We are absolutely aiming for the title this year – it is not worth playing if you don’t want to win it. We are still in the cup and are in a good position in the league so we are aiming to go as far as we can in every competition and hopefully qualify for the Lancashire Knockout next year.”

Elsewhere Farnworth showcased their title credentials by defeating local rivals Farnworth Social Circle by nine wickets.

Opener David Tonge scored 18 as the Piggott Park side were bowled out for 73. The damage was done by an impressive bowling attack of Kamran Sajid (4-3), Chris Wilson (3-22) and Melbourne Austin (3-37).

Chris Baxendale led the response hitting 27 but he hardly had time to get out of first gear with the target being reached in 16.4 overs to the loss of only one wicket.

Westhoughton rose to third place after recording a routine victory against bottom side Tonge.

Five-wicket hauls from Oliver Newby (5-30) and Qaiser Abbas (5-10) bowled the Castle Hill side out for 60 - Abdullah Naushahi top-scored with 17.

In reply Newby struck 20 and Rob Houghton hit 19 as Westhoughton sealed the win for the loss of four wickets.

Eagley recorded their second win of the season win of the season at home to Heaton.

Mike Ward (41) and Awais Zia (77) led with the bat as the hosts rallied up a total of 218-8, despite Imran Mirza (4-68) and Joe Ducker (4-53) taking four wickets each.

Mirza turned his hand to the bat and scored 43 in reply, and Haroon Farhat notched 52.

But the impressing bowling of Awais Zia (5-64) and Will Shuttleworth (4-21) dismissed the visitors for 142.