EGERTON'S Hamer Cup campaign looked to have come to an end when they were restricted to a meagre 128-9 by Kearsley writes Peter Mensforth

And it looked a great deal worse when the leaders romped to 81-4 in reply,

Suddenly that was reduced to 88-9 as Andrew Ainsworth and Josh Cunliffe got among the wickets to swing the game Egerton's way but then Kearsley's last pair of Jordan Thornley and Steve Pellow started to inch towards the target.

In a nailbiting finish, however, Pellow was caught off the bowling of deputy pro Keith Semple, having taken the score to 113, and Egerton booked their semi-final place by 15 runs.

There was no frantic finish at Westhoughton where the home side booked their last four place with a 110 run win over Horwich.

Westhoughton totalled 215-8, Alan Gaskell top scoring with 82 after they had lost Steve Parker and pro Brad White with only four runs on the board.

In reply Grant Long did his best to keep Horwich in the game but with pro David White missing because of a groin strain, deputy Gary Yates failed in a rescue act and their challenge ended on 155, Darren Preston 3-33 and White 4-59.

Astley Bridge's last six wickets fell for only 24 runs as Eagley's Shahid Mahboob caused mayhem with the ball.

He took seven wickets for 59 with only Bridge pro Dheeraj Jadhav showing any resistance with a knock of 34 and in the end a total of 105 was never going to test the visitors.

They got home by seven wickets Ward hitting 37 and pro Ian Mitchell 41 not out in a big hitting innings that produced eight fours and a six.

The game between neightbours Farnworth SC and Farnworth never started because of the state of the wicket and will now be played on July 29