A REMARKABLE hat-trick by Tom Fairclough clinched victory for Egerton in a dramatic last over against Horwich on Saturday.

The visitors looked firm favourites to win the game when they needed 10 runs off the last over and six with three balls remaining.

Fairclough's off-spinners did the trick for Egerton, however, and Horwich's trio of Harrison, Taylor and Wilson fell to the last three balls of the game.

Farnworth's Brenton Parchment was in inspired form as he smashed 189 against Astley Bridge as his side raced to 368-5, just 12 runs short of the highest ever total set by Egerton last year.

Bridge made a brave effort in response with pro Pranuka Liyange 97 and Will Halton 60, but the huge target was always out of reach.

Adam Street blasted an unbeaten 64 to ensure Tonge beat his old club Eagley by four wickets. Chasing Eagley's 218-9 Tonge were struggling on 168-5 before Street hit 50 in 32 balls to secure the win.

There were two one-sided games at Greenmount and Farnworth Social Circle. The Bury side blasted 303-5 with Zaidi 99 and John Ashworth unbeaten on 91, before Little Lever were dismissed for just 98.

Heaton could only manage 60 at Farnworth Social Circle who won by nine wickets.

Westhoughton's hopes of victory were dashed at home to Bradshaw whose skipper David Morris hit a superb knock of 136 to win by six wickets.

Walkden had to thank Aussie pair Jason Swift, who hit 76, and Paul Wiseman, 111, for laying the foundations for victory. They had an opening stand of 190 in their side's 276-7 and, although Kearsley fought back to reach 230-8, a hamstring injury to pro Amila Wettasinghe put the game out of reach.

In the Bolton Association, Elton, Edgworth and Little Hulton maintained their flying starts to the Bolton Association season when they recorded their third successive victories to share top spot.

Ten points behind are Darcy Lever who suffered a shock home defeat to last season's bottom club, Blackrod, who won their first game.

It was another record performance by Edgworth whose 307 was the all-time highest score on their ground, beating the previous record of 281 set against Spring View a fortnight ago.