EAGLEY'S hold on the Hamer Cup was torn away by Greenmount who cantered to a comfortable six wickets win in the quarter-finals writes David Magilton

The holders were dismissed for 136 which was never going to be enough.

They made a slow start and only reached 28-3 after 19 overs. It would have been much worse if professional Imran Javed had not held the innings together, but when he was eighth out for 71 there was little resistance. In fact Eagley lost their last five batsmen for just three runs.

Robin Morris took 5-78 while tight bowling from Mark Stewart frustrated the home side.

Greenmount had little trouble knocking off the runs after Morris struck 41 and Jimmy Horrox added 45.

Westhoughton clinched a dramatic last-over win at Farnworth SC. Last season's beaten finalists made 160-9 with Mike Crookson 32 as Tim Barrow took 5-76 and Tony Bradley 3-22.

In reply Circle plodded towards the total thanks to Khurshis Ahmed 40 and Asheed 33 who put on 72 for the fourth wicket. Wickets began to tumble and the 10th went down with one ball remaining and five runs short.

Champions Walkden made short shrift of Horwich. The 107-run defeat will dent Horwich's hopes of continuing at the top after such an overwhelming defeat by their title rivals.

The home side amassed 246-3 with David Smith 103, Mike Bennison 72 and Matthew Parkinson 34.

In reply Horwich were all out for 139 with David White top scorer on 57 as Parkinson's spin captured 5-31.

Shock of the day was the 49 runs defeat of Tonge at home to Kearsley.

The visitors made 209-9 with Dave Leonard hitting 60 and Mahboob 40. Ian Taylor grabbed 4-28.

In reply Tonge's only resistance came from in-form pro Nisar, who hit 75, but the rest of the innings folded for 170 leaving the Castle Hill side to concentrate on the league.