FARNWORTH Social Circle’s pursuit of the Bolton League Second XI Premiership continued as they maintained their eight-point lead at the top of the table with a six-wicket win at Darcy Lever.

Joshua Roscoe set them on their way with a superb spell of 6-56 which, together with 3-47 from Andrew Brooks, helped dismiss Darcy Lever for just 103 with only 22 from Sajawal Khan providing much resistance.

Tim Barrow, Jamie Bohannon and Stephen French all reached the 20s in a comfortable win.

Astley Bridge remain second following a seven-wicket win against Heaton who, having batted first, collapsed to just 86 all out.

Jack Sleigh managed 29 as one of only two double figure scores with Paresh Patail taking 4-33. All the Astley Bridge top four got into double figures, led by Ady Cooper who made 26.

Horwich RMI stay third by virtue of an emphatic 168-run win at Little Hulton.

Batting first, Mark Knowles helped get them off to a great start with a quick 30 before Phil Cavill, who went on to make a fine 102, and Zac Hollis, an excellent 124 not out, added 135 for the second wicket as RMI posted an imposing 281-2.

In reply, Dave Mullineaux made 46 but the rest of the innings floundered against the bowling of Kieran Barlow (4-21) and Jack Ramsden (3-36).

Farnworth pulled off perhaps a surprising 81-run win against Bradshaw which dropped their visitors down to fifth in the table.

Stephen Bradley, with 38, David Rushton (28) and Victor Walcott (26) helped build a score of 198 despite three wickets each for Tim de Gelder, Luke Davenport and Rhys Singleton.

Despite Cian Dickinson battling his way to 47, Bradshaw were bowled out for 117 in reply as Joseph Rushton took 4-34.

Kearsley stay sixth after a 66-run win against Westhoughton at St George's Oval.

Chasing a target of 194, Westhoughton floundered against a good spell from Andrew Lord, who took 4-22 as they struggled to 127 all out with only Ian Pilkington (46) and Connor Kirkham (21) making many runs.

Kirkham had earlier taken 4-34 as Kearsley reached 193 all out.

Joe Capstick led the way with an unbeaten 60 with good support coming from Lord (25) and George Banks (24).

With second-placed Eagley losing at Atherton, Lostock have now extended their lead at the top of the Association to 15 points after a 93-run win against Daisy Hill at Chew Moor.

Batting first they were able to build a score of 229-5, thanks mainly to Danny Cockton who hit a fine 94 and Jimmy McLoughlin, who backed him up well with an unbeaten 67 as Joe Leeming took 3-54.

Joe’s dad Michael then led the reply, carrying his bat for 51, but despite Mayank Patel hitting 24 and Brett Farnworth 21 Daisy managed just 136 in reply with Neil Flanagan taking 4-20.

Eagley’s recent mini wobble continued with a 64-run defeat at Atherton.

Chasing 238 they were given some hope by Will Owen (48) and David Whittle (30), but Dan Hudspith’s return of 4-29 helped restrict them to 173.

Atherton had made 237-9 earlier led by 70 from Dale Tyrer with good support coming from Matt Lilley (48) and Andy Yeomans (45) as Gareth Monk took 3-46.

Adlington stay third following a 72-run win against Golborne in a game which saw Andrew Chamberlain make his third century of the season.

Chamberlain made exactly 100 as he and Joe Leather, who was dismissed agonisingly short of his own ton on 98, added 185 for the second wicket in a score of 235-5, with Ian Anders taking 3-58.

Golborne’s reply was built around 59 from David Szostock and 33 from Liam Benn but 3-30 from Zac Green helped bowl them out on 163.

There was an exciting game at Victory Road where Little Lever chased down a target of 228 with five wickets to spare.

Jack Barlow made a fine 66 to lead the chase, ably supported by Gareth Moxon (42) and Adam Clark with 39.

Clark had a good all round day as he also took 3-53 in the Blackrod innings.

Dave Weaver (66), Chris Readey (29) and Niall Mayor (28) made the bulk of the Blackrod runs.

Tonge are now fifth after an emphatic 71-run win at Walkden where Hasib Patel made an excellent 123 in an innings where the next highest score was 17 for Tonge as they reached 218-9, with Luke Wilson taking 4-70.

George Leather then took 4-70 to undermine the Walkden chase with only Michael Nice providing much resistance on 47.

Sunday’s Birtwistle Cup semi-finals saw Little Lever and Astley Bridge progress through to the final.

Lever produced something of a surprise with a 49-run win against Horwich RMI at the Recreation Ground.

Batting first they stormed to a very impressive 274-9 with Callum Rushmore making 87, Matt Mills 55 and Adam Clark 48. Kaleem Asghar took 4-32 and Andy Taylor 3-49 for RMI.

RMI had a real go for it but despite Mark Knowles making 33, Phil Cavill 34, and Daniel Hornby and Jake Swindells 27 each, Tamoor Jehangir’s 3-48 helped restrict them to 225-8.

Bridge meanwhile squeezed through in a thrilling game against Eagley by a two-wicket margin.

Eagley batted first and were restricted to 148-8, despite Dan Burke making 28 and Harry Jackson 27 as six men reached double figures and Nick Ford took 4-24.

Bridge were then indebted to Jimmy Dakri who hit 36 to help his side home.