Walkden started the season as the team most likely to.

They looked strong in every department, boasting matchwinners with either bat or ball, and the time seemed right for their re-emergence as title contenders.

There were flashes of the outstanding talent within the side and they managed to keep within range of the leaders, but the ability to produce a consistent winning run escaped them.

They have been the league's slumbering giant but there were signs on Saturday in their nine wicket win over Westhoughton that they might now be beginning to stir.

Regular Westhoughton watchers reckon it was their side's worst batting display of the season, despite the confident opening from Steve Parker and pro Brad White in a partnership of 59, but that was hiding the impact made by Walkden bowlers Bernard Reidy and Phil Ingram.

Between them they wrapped up the innings for a modest 140, Reidy virtually unplayable with 5-33 from 18 overs and Ingram picking up the other five wickets for 68.

Such was their dominance that pro Mike Watkinson never had the chance to bowl on the ground where he first started playing cricket. Instead, though, he led the assault with the bat, the Lancashire man and David Smith rattling up an opening partnership of 119.

That was enough to seal a nine wicket win, Watkinson the man out after scoring 57 and Smith unbeaten on 66.

Responsible

Little Lever's season also burst into life after a miserable first half with a heartening 96 run win over Horwich.

Mick Martin was mainly responsible for a total of 187, hitting a superb 93, despite David White ending the interest of most of the other batsmen with figures of 7-96.

Lever pro Amin then came good with the ball taking 6-55 while Neil Tonge captured the other four wickets for 31 in a Horwich collapse to 91 all out, 26 extras the top score.

Farnworth Social Circle also hit winning form in a seven wicket success against Bradshaw.

Dean Eckersley and Anthony Bradley both had four wickets as Bradshaw were held to 158, Neil Johnson top scoring with 54, then Circle romped to victory through the run scoring of Richard Hope 81, a maiden half century from Steve Roberts 53, and Mike Ashworth 23 not out.