SHOCK of the day was the paltry 46 runs that champions and runaway leaders Kearsley could only muster against Tonge.

Kearsley have swept all before them this season and are well on their way to retaining their title, but the decision to cover the wicket on Friday night backfired when they lost the toss and were put in to bat.

The wicket was perfectly suited to the pace of Ian Taylor 6-18 and Dion Taljaard 3-21 and was not to the liking of Kearsley's wicket-hungry pro Akber. Although much faster the Pakistani did not pose the same problems and Tonge had little difficulty in winning by 10 wickets with Rick Northrop unbeaten on 30.

Horwich professional David White continued his superb form with another match-winning display against Eagley.

"Chalky" took 4-50 and Andrew Taylor 3-41 as Eagley were dismissed for 158 as David Shuttleworth top scored with 50.

White then starred with the bat as he made exactly 100 with one six and 14 fours and helped by an unbeaten 53 from Wayne Harper steered Horwich home by nine wickets.

Astley Bridge slumped to a nine wicket defeat against resurgent Greenmount with Bolton League bowler Mark Stewart the star of the show. With the wind at his back the paceman was at times unplayable and ended with 8-45 as Bridge were skittled out for 94. Only Tim Barry offered any resistance with 43. In reply Saeed Anwar blasted a quickfire 56 to steer his side home.

Farnworth threw away the chance of victory in their derby clash with Social Circle.

The visitors were struggling on 45-5 before former Farnworth teenager Michael Daley hit 62 to help take Circle's tally to 132. Lee Childs grabbed 5-39 and Dave Leonard 3-25. Farnworth looked on course for a win at 99-6 but when top scorer Zaheer Abbass went for 34 they crumbled to 115 all out. Pro Ricrado Powell took 4-36 and Tony Bradley 3-39.

Westhoughton have gone from strength to strength throughout the season underlined by an easy five wicket win at Egerton.

The home side made painful progress to 135-7 with opener Mike Ward battling 44 overs for 43. Deputy pro Dirkie De Vos, the former pro at Eagley, took 3-48 and Mike Crookson 3-53. Westhoughton had little difficulty reaching the target after hitting 20 off the first three overs. Steve Parker and Ian Pilikington hit 31 while Alan Gaskell, who had earlier taken a stunning catch low to his left, finished unbeaten on 31.

Timely lift for Lever BOTTOM club Little Lever gave themselves a much needed boost with a 61 runs win over Bradshaw.

Pro Imran Amin finally produced the goods with his best spell of the season to finish with 5-35 as Bradshaw were bowled out for 113. Earlier 85 from Lee Baldwin, who carried his bat, guided Little Lever to 174-7. Javed took 5-39.

Heaton won their first game of the season last week but it was business as usual at Walkden where they were hammered by 172 runs.

Walkden were on 113-3 when David Smith and Matthew Parkinson came together. They shared in an unbroken stand of 158 with Smith finishing nine runs short of his previous best of 159 - a club record for an amateur - and Parkinson 50. Brother John Smith then took over and grabbed four wickets and Phil Ingram three to dismiss Heaton for 99.