JACK Berry’s superb seven-wicket haul swept Farnworth Social Circle aside in Sunday’s all Bolton League Lancashire Knockout tie and handed Horwich a 13th win in 14 matches across all competitions this season.

No wonder the Ramsbottom Road side are confident of claiming a significant scalp by overcoming the Liverpool Competition’s second-placed side Formby in the last 16 on June 23.

“It will be a nice trip out there to go up against them,” said cricket manager David White.

“They’re a good side, but so are we. We don’t fear anybody.”

Berry claimed 7-22 from eight overs of left-arm spin to bowl Social Circle, invited to bat at Piggott Park, out for just 91 inside 29 overs.

It took Horwich openers Dean Bell (18) and Danny Naylor, with 54 off 41 balls, just 10.3 overs to knock off the runs.

Berry, a Horwich junior, has returned to the club for 2018 from Kearsley. During his spell there, he played for the Bolton League under-18s side two years ago.

“Jack’s really matured and come into his own,” said White. “He’s got good cricketing pedigree and is going to be the real deal.

“It was a sporting wicket, and he just bowled good lines. His accuracy has improved, and he’s cut the bad ball out.

“Social were missing six (players), and they will be a very different team when we come up against them again at our place on Saturday.”

Added to Berry’s seven wickets, Lewis Haydock struck twice and overseas Australian amateur Lachie Fitzpatrick once.

Fitzpatrick has enjoyed a superb start to the season with ball and bat, with his standout performance being 119 in a Premiership win against Little Lever last month.

“He plays first grade cricket back in Melbourne (for Monash Tigers) and bats 11,” said White. “He predominantly came over as an off-spinner.

“But, at Bolton League level, he’s a genuine all-rounder. He hits the ball really hard and times it so well. He comes as a recommendation of Brendan McArdle, who played in Bolton.”

Horwich’s continued success makes it likely there will be more fixture date clashes as the season progresses.

The Bolton League have already delayed the Peter Stafford Trophy semi-finals and final until June 30 and August 4 respectively to allow Horwich and Bradshaw to compete in Sunday’s ECB National Club Championship third round.

White added: “Our priority lies with the Bolton League competitions, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to go as far as we can in the others.

“I put it to the lads last week and said, ‘What would you rather do, play the next round of the Peter Stafford or go to St Annes in the National?’

“They all came back with the Stafford, but the Bolton League have given us special dispensation to play St Annes on Sunday.

“The further we go in the Lancs Knockout, we’ll be asking the league for their help again to try and keep us going.

“We know we’re going to come up against some stumbling blocks with dates and weather. It could get messy. But you just don’t know.

“We’ll just keep going and see what happens.”