Walkden moved to the top of the Bolton League Second XI Association table last weekend following a 44-run win against Horwich RMI, who now sit two points behind in joint second.

Batting first, an excellent spell of bowling by Kishan Hira, who took 6-40 including a hat-trick, and Andy Taylor, who took 4-44, helped restrict them to a total of 153.

Walkden’s runs came mainly through the efforts of Bilal Afzal (33), Mehran Anwar (43) and Umer Ishaq (35).

RMI found batting no easier and Norman Khalid’s 4-22 helped to restrict the reply to just 109, with only Max Adamson offering great resistance with 37.

Farnworth Social Circle moved level with Horwich in second place courtesy of an eight-wicket win at Atherton.

Meanwhile, Little Lever romped to a six-wicket win against Kearsley at Victory Road, chasing down a target of 125 with almost 25 overs to spare.

The visitors went in first and, despite Fenton Davies making 50 and Neil Thompson 30, were bowled out for 124 as Don Heyes took 3-26 and Myles Hayhurst 4-31.

In reply, the home side found themselves 56-4 but an unbroken stand of 74 between Leon Tenant (34 not out) and Jack Barlow (37no), added to Louis Partington’s 21, saw them to a win.

Tonge also enjoyed an early finish as they got the better of Blackrod at Castle Hill by a margin of eight wickets with some 16 overs to spare.

Blackrod went in first and were indebted to Richard Ashworth’s 31 as only two other batsmen reached double figures in a disappointing total of 114. Marcus Dawson, with 3-38, and Rob Tully (3-15) did the bulk of the damage for Tonge.

Dawson then added 26 with the bat, providing good support for Sajid Patel who made an unbeaten 48, to help secure the win in 29 overs.

Meanwhile, in the Premiership, Farnworth are working themselves into an almost impregnable lead which now amounts to 32 points following a six-wicket win against Eagley.

Chasing 143, they found themselves in a little trouble at 41-4 but an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 105 between Scott Mather (35no) and Kian Patel (54no) was enough to take them home.

Eagley, despite six batters in double figures, Sam Hall top scoring with 24, were restricted to 142 all out as Sam Bradley took 3-30 and three bowlers grabbed a brace each.

A cracking game at Chew Moor saw visitors Little Hulton edge home by just one wicket as they chased down a target of 184.

Harrison Calvert, with 79, and Rory McIntyre (33) were the heroes as they foiled the efforts of Darren Parr (3-31) and Tom Gregory (3-14).

Stephen Kaye made 58 to lead the way for Lostock with good support coming from Lucky Issa (33), Kishan Ram (38) and Arran Berriman (21) in a total of 183-8, with Ash Perry taking 3-41.

There was another thrilling game at St George’s where Westhoughton clung on to beat a determined Astley Bridge by just two runs.

Needing nine from the last over to reach their target of 178, they were restricted to just six and the efforts of Ady Cooper (24), Jamie Cooper (21) and Paresh Patail (38) proved to be in vain as Harry Honour took 3-34.

He had earlier made an unbeaten 53 as Westhoughton posted a very useful 177-3, with Phil Wakefield adding 74 and Steven Dryden 35.

Tomorrow sees the final of the First XI Hamer Cup with Westhoughton facing Astley Bridge at Bridgeman Park, Farnworth.