FARNWORTH consolidated their place at the top of the table with a victory in quick-time over Astley Bridge.

The home side were dismissed for 142, with Rick Northrop again holding the innings together with a solid 67.

Chris Barrow's bowling played an important part for Farnworth and he finished with 5-46, while Lee Childs was economical with 3-23.

In reply, Farnworth took just 25 overs to knock off the runs to win by three wickets.

Tim Barrow top scored with 34, which comprised three sixes and three fours, as most of the batsmen chipped in. Amul Dalugoda took 4-53 but the Sri Lankan's efforts were in vain.

Tonge professional Adil Nisar almost single-handedly defeated Eagley.

The Pakistani hit 85 runs out of his side's 149, and, although a modest total, it proved far too much for Eagley, who were bowled out for just 81.

Nisar did the damage with the ball taking 5-28 to see his side home by 68 runs.

Farnworth Social Circle also had an easy win disposing of Heaton by six wickets.

The visitors could only muster 139 and that was thanks largely to the last two wickets who put on 50 runs to spare Heaton's blushes even more.

Gary Carson hit 26, Dean Mere 20 and R. Isted an unbeaten 20. Dave Parkinson did the damage finishing with 7-65.

Circle had few problems knocking off the runs with pro Kurt Wilkinson 27, Richard Hope 36 and 14-year-old Josh Rushmore an unbeaten 19.

Westhoughton moved into second spot after a nail-biting victory over Bradshaw.

The visitors were bowled out for 162 with Paul Rayment hitting 68, while Antonio Mayers took 4-58.

In reply, Westhoughton scraped home by one wicket. Mark Atherton top scored with 35 and young Matt Dearden took 4-42.

Egerton professional Dheeraj Jadhav continued his remarkable run of form with another century.

The high-class Indian batsman was unbeaten on 127 and shared in a prolific opening stand with Paul Stafford, who made 39, while Andy Clegg was unbeaten on 79.

Egerton finished on 269-3, which was far too much for Horwich, who were dismissed for 179, despite the efforts of South African veteran Grant Long who hit 90. Tom Fairclough took 3-38.

Walkden managed to put themselves in with a great chance of victory at Kearsley only to collapse and have to settle for a draw.

The home side made 227-5, with West Indian pro Sherwin Ganga falling just two runs short of a century.

New arrival from Oldham, Chris McDonnell, chipped in with 45 while David Smith took 3-40.

In reply, Walkden's openers Jason Swift and David Smith took the score to 147 without loss, but when they were out for 58 and 86 respectively, wickets tumbled at an alarming rate and Walkden were relieved to finish on 208-8.

Little Lever maintained third spot despite a five-wicket defeat at Greenmount.

They scored 203-6, with Ismail 69 and pro Kamran Sajid 81, but Greenmount's David Morris, who finished unbeaten on 65, and Andy Bowker 50, ensured victory for the Bury side.

Results: Saturday: Westhoughton 165-9 Bradshaw 162,

Westhoughton won by 1 wkt.

Tonge 149 Eagley 81, Tonge won by 68 runs.

Astley Bridge 142 Farnworth 144-7, Farnworth won by 3 wkts.

Farnworth SC 143-4 Heaton 139, Farnworth SC won by 6 wkts.

Egerton 269-3 Horwich 179, Egerton won by 90 runs.

Greenmount 204-5 Little Lever 203-6, Greenmount won by 5 wkts.

Kearsley 227-5 Walkden 208-8, Match drawn.