KEARSLEY became the first team to beat Farnworth this season as they dumped the Lavender Road side out of the Hamer Cup on Sunday.

Without star batsman Adil Nisar, Farnworth's recent addition Imran Mirza came to the forefront for the second time in as many days with an impressive knock of 81.

Captain Simon Booth then added 56 with some big hitting to post a total of 224-7.

But it was former Farnworth man Chris Baxendale who did the damage against his old side in reply.

Baxendale top scored for the Springfield Road side with 73 as he spearheaded the response which saw Kearsley win by three wickets and dump one of the competition's early favourites out at the second-round stage.

And Kearsley skipper Darren Whittle was delighted with the performance of his side.

He said: “It was a great game. We have lost five or six in a row against Farnworth.

“To beat them for the first time in ages is great. It was a great team performance.”

Meanwhile, Astley Bridge edged a thrilling encounter against Heaton which went down to the wire.

Soyab Taylor struck 70 for the Sharples Park side but Mustafa Bashir and Joe Ducker took four wickets apiece to bowl the hosts out for 189.

Heaton's reply looked non existent when they slipped to 102-8, but skipper Gary Garner (48) led by example alongside Ducker as they put on a 70-run partnership to take the tally up to 184 – needing six off the final ball.

But a loose shot on the last delivery was caught and Astley Bridge progressed to the next round.

Aiden Markram scored 130 for Walkden as they breezed past Bradshaw.

Markram achieved his feat in only 125 balls, hitting 20 boundaries. Opening partner Taylor Hayes added 39 before Sayed Shah knocked 52 not out off 27 balls to post a tally of 343-5.

Tom Liversedge led the reply, scoring 49, but Tahir Maqsood starred with the ball to take five wickets for 61 runs, while Shah chipped in with 3-19 as Bradshaw were bowled out for 153.

Farnworth Social Circle recorded their second win in as many days with a 47-run victory against Westhoughton.

Skipper Matt Parkinson (64) and Andrew Lane (45) scored high with the bat as the Piggott Park side posted 232-7.

Opener Danny Naylor scored 40 in reply and Mark Atherton added 64 as the Howfeners looked to fashion a response.

However, impressive bowling from Jay Chhana (4-28) helped dismiss Westhoughton for 185.

Results

Astley Bridge 189 Heaton 184. Astley Bridge won by five runs.

Bradshaw 153 Walkden 343-5. Walkden won by 190 runs.

Farnworth Social Circle 232-7, Westhoughton 185. Farnworth Social Circle won by 47 runs.

Kearsley 226-7, Farnworth 224-7. Kearsley won by 3 wkts.