TOM Billington marked his return to Horwich with a top score of 38 in his side’s three-wicket win at home to Lostock.

The opening bat, who has been at Horwich since he was six, left the club in the winter to take up an offer from Liverpool Competition club Northern to play for them.

But while Northern wanted him to stay, he missed Horwich and returned to boost their already impressive batting strength.

They join Bradshaw and Farnworth Social Circle on two wins out of three for the season, behind 100-per-cent winners Walkden and Farnworth.

The latter two have destroyed all three opponents so far, Walkden’s 168-run victory over one of the favourites for the title, Kearsley, sending out another message of intent.

Farnworth are looking equally formidable (see story in Monday's Bolton News).

Pro Akbar ur Rehman scored 104 not out before Tahir Maqsood and Nick Stobart both took five wickets to see off Kearsley.

Westhoughton won the local derby at Daisy Hill in style.

Daisy posted a decent 227-6, which Westhoughton made short work of, flying to their target in 39.4 overs for the loss of just two wickets.

Social Circle inflicted a first defeat of the season on Bradshaw with a 59-run away victory in a clash of yet another two teams with title aspirations in what is promising to be one of the closest and most competitive Bolton League seasons for many years.

In the Association division Little Lever lead the way with three straight wins.

Pro Adil Nisar had his best performance for the club in his second season, with 106 of his side’s winning second-innings total of 193-5 in 27.2 overs at Heaton.

He also took three wickets.

In another close division, Golborne, Astley Bridge and Adlington are on two wins.

Golborne passed visitors Tonge’s 126 in 22.5 overs with six wickets to spare, opener Sam Hardman scoring the majority of the losing side’s total with 72.

Astley Bridge won by 54 runs at Eagley after posting 232-8, pro Kasun Vidura Adikari scoring 119 for the hosts, but the next highest score was 13.

Iain Critchley’s tight bowling saw him take 7-27 off 15 overs as Adlington restricted visitors Little Hulton to 142 which his side reached with six wickets to spare.

Blackrod got their first win of the season in style when they beat Darcy Lever by 155 runs after getting the visitors all out for 33-9 in 21.5 overs (see story in Monday's Bolton News).