FARNWORTH remain top of the Bolton League Second XI table despite an almighty scare against mid-table Lostock at Chew Moor.

Chasing a target of 150, they found themselves struggling on 58-6 as Darren Parr, George Jackson and Mo Intwala all took two wickets.

But a stand of 67 for the seventh wicket between Bilal Khan (57) and Sam Bradley steadied the ship, and Bradley’s unbeaten 36 saw them safely home by three wickets.

Lostock’s total of 149-9 had been down mainly to Lucky Issa’s 38 together with 28 from Jackson and a late flourish from the tail as Shujat Ali took 3-29.

Little Hulton stay on their coat tails after a thrilling one-wicket win against Horwich RMI at the Recreation Ground.

RMI batted first and recovered from 117-5 (Jake Swindells 28) with a stand of 96 between Aryan Ashraf, who made an excellent 126, and Max Adamson (52) to finish on a very healthy 246-9, with Adam Newton taking 4-63.

The run chase followed a similar pattern with Little Hulton finding themselves 157-7 before the tail provided great support to Rory McIntyre’s undefeated 85.

Roger Kumah (28) helped add 51 for the eighth wicket, while Lister Wilson (32) and Ashley Perry (21) also made useful runs.

Eagley took on Westhoughton and inflicted a second successive defeat on their visitors with a convincing six-wicket win.

Chasing a meagre target of 109, Eagley marched home with some 22 overs to spare as Joe Cumberbatch made 32 not out and got handy support from Tom Mitchell and Will Owens and a not-insignificant 34 extras.

Extras were also to the fore in the Westhoughton innings, contributing 28 to their total of just 108 all out.

Alfie Owens took 4-31 and Oliver Tuck 3-19 as only Ryan Chaisty, with 32, showed much resistance.

Atherton travelled to Sharples Park and came away with a 21-run triumph after bowling their hosts out for 148.

Khizar Rashid hit 40 for Bridge and Ady Cooper 26 and Paresh Patail (24) chipping in, but Calum Barlow (5-44) and Ben Maher (3-27) proved decisive for Atherton.

Barlow had also chipped in with 32 when Atherton had batted with five other batsmen making double figures in their total of 169-7.

Tonge made the highest score of the day as they rattled up a very impressive total of 330-9 at Springfield Road against Kearsley.

Having lost an early wicket, Abdul Bhagat (89) and Marcus Dawson then added 195 for the second wicket to set them well on their way.

Dawson went on to make a superb 143 off just 106 balls, including 18 fours and six sixes, despite Jack Pellowe toiling hard to take 5-43 in the face of the onslaught.

To their credit Kearsley did not give up and replied with a very handy 222-9, which may well have been a winning score on many weeks.

Neil Thompson made an unbeaten 49, and had good support from Tom Mabbutt (40), Grant Cordin (32) and Paul Gregory (27) as the Tonge bowlers shared out the wickets.

Piggott Street was another ground to see a good game as Walkden chased down Farnworth Social Circle’s total of 199-7 for the loss of just five wickets.

Adnan Khan led the way with a fine unbeaten 107 as Sabeel Khan (39) and Imran Ali, with 25, provided good support.

Social’s total of 199 had been mainly built around half-centuries from Tim and Bradley Barrow, who made 55 and 54 respectively, with Stephen Edwards adding a handy 24. Khan topped off a good day with 3-60.

Blackrod posted 179 against visitors Little Lever with Ben Mather providing the bulk of those with a determined 54.

Lever then chased down their target for the loss of seven wickets led by an unbeaten 48 from Louis Partington.

Jack Barlow added 28, Tom Taylor 26 and Adam Clark 25 to see their team home in spite of the best efforts of Jacob Ashworth, who took 3-49.