THE Bolton League made quick work of their opening defence in the MEN Inter-league Trophy with a commanding display with both bat and ball.

First they piled up an impressive total of 263-6 before bowling out the North Lancashire League at Barrow for a modest 118 to win by 145 runs with 14 overs of the match remaining.

The strength of the Bolton batting was fully illustrated by the partnership between captain Dave Morris and Farnworth Social Circle's David Parkinson.

They came together after Paul Stafford was out for 25 with the score on 36, and from that point they dominated the bowling.

Both players produced a powerful array of shots that frustrated then disheartened the North Lancs attack, and as the match went on the two batsmen were scoring at will.

They put on 162 for the second wicket before Parkinson was finally out for 81 scored off 117 balls, while Morris went for 80 off 103 balls with the score at 212.

Their departure, however, hardly held up the League's scoring rate .

Although they lost a couple of cheap wickets, Chris Barrow came in to hit 30 off only 14 balls, and Greenmount's Peter Kay, who was brought into the side after Iqbal Patel's late withdrawal, hit 15 not out off only six balls to lift the total to 263.

Defending such a large total gave the bowlers plenty of scope and captain Morris used them well, which resulted in a number of quick wickets.

Left arm spinner Chris Barrow was the most profitable claiming four wickets for only nine runs off five overs, while his brother Tim had 2-24 and Kay 2-22.

At one stage the North Lancs were reduced to 68-8 but there was some late resistance from the tail that managed to lift the score to a more respectable 118.

Dave Parkinson was named man of the match with honourable mentions going to Morris and Chris Barrow.

Bolton now take on Ribblesdale at Read on July 10.