FARNWORTH Social Circle continued their defence of the Anthony Axford Indoor Trophy by reaching the semi-finals with an emphatic victory over Darcy Lever in a game that lasted just 25 minutes.

Darcy Lever lost their first wicket off the first ball of the match and were all out for 11 in 4.3 overs.

Andrew Brooks took 3-6, and Richard Dempster 3-5 before Social Circle scored the winning runs in only 11 balls, Zac Wilson scoring 10 of them.

Earlier on Sunday's third week of the annual competition at Bolton School, Astley Bridge beat Horwich.

Run-outs were the order of the day with nine recorded in the match.

Astley Bridge batted first and made 82-4 off their allotted 12 overs.

Another fine batting performance came from Addie Cooper who top scored with 28.

In reply, Horwich scored 70 with Tom Billington making 47 before his side were all out for 70 in the 11th over.

In the second game, Lostock won the toss and put in Eagley who lost their first wicket on 10, and then three quick wickets between 46 and 48 before finally being all out for 59.

Tom Sheen was the pick of the bowlers with 1-11 off his three overs.

In reply, Lostock reached their target of 60 for the loss of two wickets in 9.1 overs, with Rob Holgate top scoring with 25.

Matthew Hicks was the pick of the Eagley bowlers with 1 for 8 off two overs.

The final game saw Farnworth beat Westhoughton who won the toss and decided to bat first.

They scored 93-5 with Ben Harrison hitting 25, ably supported by Niall Dunn with 22 not out.

Victor Walcott took 2-19 for Farnworth whose reply reached 94-3 in the 11th over, Neil Hyde scoring 30 not out and Simon Booth 25 not out.

Dunn completed a fine all-round performance with Westhoughton’s best bowling figures of 2-12 off two overs.

Sunday's fixtures

Semi-finals: 12.30pm Astley Bridge v Farnworth Social Circle, 1.45pm Lostock v Farnworth. 3pm final.