WHEN Simon Booth spoke last month about Farnworth’s chances of success in 2018, he revealed his side underachieved last year despite winning the Premiership and Twenty20 double.

But now, ominously for the rest of the Bolton League and maybe teams beyond, the Bridgeman Park captain believes his side are already clicking into gear.

Three wins from three in the league, including Saturday’s 239-run home mauling of Atherton, and they are joint top on 20 points alongside Walkden.

Next weekend, they host a Horwich side who Booth rates highly and then Todmorden from the Lancashire League in the first round of the Lancs Knockout on Sunday.

“Jonny Kerrigan went watching Todmorden the other week and said they look a really good unit,” said Booth.

“We’ll have to play well. But, if we can get two wins, we’ll be flying. It’s a big weekend.

“I know it’s a strange thing to say, but I don’t think we ever got going last year. We were always scrapping and never hammered anybody. But we did that last weekend (away at Lostock) and Saturday.”

Farnworth racked up 344-6 from their 50 overs having been inserted by Atherton.

Imran Mirza hit 101 off 116 balls and new Pakistani professional Noman Ali, a replacement for Kamran Younas, usurped him with 131 off 88 with 10 sixes.

The pair shared 212 inside 31 overs for the fourth wicket to advance from 94-3.

Ali’s potent left-arm spinners then returned 6-46 from 16 overs as Atherton responded with just 105-9, with Connor Gilluley unable to bat having suffered a broken arm fielding at short cover.

“The pro was sensational,” said Booth after watching him claim a third successive six-wicket haul.

“He batted properly up to 50 or 60 and then hit it miles.

“Mirza was on 40-odd when he walked in, and he’s beaten him to a hundred.

“Matthew Hicks stuck around at the top of the order and anchored it well. He only got 20 but batted nicely.

“The pro just keeps getting six-for. I said ‘Can you not get seven or eight?’

“Mind you, we couldn't get any more because Mirza hit one at one of their lads at short cover.”

On Pakistani pro Ali, a 31-year-old current first-class cricketer, Booth went on: “I know he’s a good bowler, he’s different class. But that batting performance!

“He’s more of a bowler, but he looked good at Lostock, so I put him up the order to five.

“The wicket at Farnworth was really good.

“To be fair, there was some decent bowling. Their pro, Adeel Baig, bowled nicely up front, but their two spinners got some tap. Batting wise, they were never really in it.

“It’s been a good start this year, and we seem to be a bit better prepared.

“We had a shocking start last year, losing our first six, including cup games. But it was a good thing it happened because you realise you aren't as good as you think.

“We got panned a couple of times early doors and then went on a great run.”