A CENTURY stand from Matt Parkinson and Jonathan Fearick steered the Bolton League to a four wicket win over the Association in the annual Trinity Cup match at Farnworth Social Circle.

Walkden's Parkinson and Heaton's Fearick came together as the League looked on the brink of collapse at 112-6 chasing the Association's 227.

After the bowlers had ripped through the top order, they were suddenly forced to try and contain the seventh wicket pair, who foraged runs, helped by impressive running between the wickets.

Parkinson took the dominant role hitting 69 not out with Fearick unbeaten on 38 and in the end they timed their response perfectly, the winning runs coming in the penultimate over.

At one stage such a close finish looked unlikely as the League made a confident reply to an Association total that, on a good batting wicket, looked to be some 30 or 40 runs short. Yet their bowlers responded in style, particularly Mark Penny, who tempted openers Klinger and Parker into rash shots that saw them both fall to good catches.

Tonge's Adil Nisar was out for 25 at 87-3 but worse was to follow as Robin Morris went for a duck, quickly followed by Kearsley's Morris and captain David Morris. That left the League trailing behind the run rate and needing seven an over but the arrival of Parkinson and Fearick changed all that.

Man of the match Parkinson led the charge, recovering from a tentative start to put the League back on track with an innings that contained five sixes and four fours.

Earlier the Association innings had faltered when they lost two quick wickets with their score on 17, Arindam following Griffiths back to the pavilion after failing to score. Astley and Tyldesley's Bazid Khan tried to steady the innings but lost both Ijaz Mahmood and David Hamilton before completing a useful partnership of 58 with Penny.

Khan was eventually dismissed after being caught behind off David Morris for 66 and there was further trouble when three more wickets followed leaving tham at 163-8.

A 200 plus target looked a distant dream but Spring View's Iain Critchley took on the bowlers to hit an unbeaten 56, and with good support from John Norris, hauled the score to a respectable 227.