Walkden'S title aspirations were given a timely lift as they finally made it to the top of the Bolton League.

The former champions are the early favourites to regain the crown they let slip to Tonge last season, and their win over Farnworth Social Circle illustrated the point perfectly.

A devastating bowling show by Bernard Reidy and David Smith reduced Circle to a modest 116 all out before Phil Ingram led the charge to a seven wickets win.

Reidy took five wickets for 38 and Smith 4-27 with only Circle pro Rashid showing any resistance as he reached a well derserved half-century.

The game was then decided by Ingram, whose effortless 40 not out eased Walkden to their comfortable win.

Westhoughton, who had started the day as league leaders, came up against a rejuvenated Kearsley side, especially pro Fazal Akber and big hitting Steve Dublin.

Dublin made his mark first, hitting 77 to help Kearsley recover from a stuttering start, while also benefiting from an umpiring decision.

Dublin was adjudged to have been run out when he had reached the early 30s but the player appealed and when the umpires conferred, the decision was reversed, which the officials are perfectly entitled to do, provided it is done promptly and before play continues.

Dublin made the most of his reprieve, going on to hit 77 and Kearsley, also helped by a half century partnership between Simon Thomson and David Morris, were able to post a target of 211-7.

Westhoughton's West Indian pro, paceman Dwight Smith played his part taking 5-83 but it was his opposite number Fazal Akber, who stole the show.

The Pakistan bowler collected seven wickets for 68 which halted the home side's progress but good contributions from Rick Parker 54 not out, pro Smith 43 and Alan Gaskell 31, helped Westhoughton hold out for the draw at 183-9.

Little Lever and Eagley were involved in an entertaining game at Victory Road, where only four runs separated the two sides.

Little Lever were restricted to 135-9 as Steve Foster picked up 5-49, while Eagley looked as if they might just snatch a win in the last over but tight bowling saw them narrowly fall short at 131-7, Lever pro Sajeewa Desilva 4-60 and Jon Kerrigan 3-51.

The weather washed out two games, Bradshaw's game at Greenmount and Heaton's against Horwich, which could have had a bearing on positions at the top of the table.