THE battle between the two big W's continued relentlessly on Saturday as the top two teams coasted to comfortable victories, while Greenmount lost ground after a trouncing by Kearsley.

Walkden had the easiest task accounting for struggling Little Lever by nine wickets, while Westhoughton had a sterner test against Horwich, before they won by three wickets, to remain just two points clear at the top of the table.

Little Lever were dismissed for 163, despite 53 from Adam Worrall, as Dave Smith took 3-36 and Rob Slater 3-18 from eight overs. In reply Walkden strolled home with pro Peter Roach unbeaten on 87 while Smith made 53.

Horwich reached 169-9 with Grand Long 59 and David White 42, in a slow but productive third wicket stand of 80. Paul Hart was the most successful bowler with 6-76. In reply Steve Parker made 75, Adam Coates 34 and Mark Atherton 27 not out as Westhoughton raced home in less than 34 overs.

Kearsley notched up 209-7 with Steve Davies 52 and professional Zander de Bruyn 65, and in reply the latter routed Greenmount for 87 with his 7-34.

There was low-scoring but exciting clash at Farnworth Social Circle, where the home side were dismissed for 111. Darren Mullineux was the major contributor with 34 as Patel took 3-43, Dalugoda 4-25 and Rakeb Mahmood 2-9 from just six overs. It should never have been enough but Ryan Cunningham had other ideas and he returned 8-40 to skittle Bridge out for 97.

Eagley moved into fourth spot after they stuttered their way to a five wicket win over trouble-torn Bradshaw. They had two of their leading players missing, pro Brett Newman played his last game before he returns home through injury, and all that in addition to the body-blow of losing skipper David Morris, who has joined Greenmount.

Bradshaw mustered 134-9 thanks largely to an 81 run partnership between teenagers Andrew Kerr, the new skipper who made 48 and Nick Lester (16). They took the score to 114-3 before Eagley pro Mike O'Rourke grabbed three cheap wickets.

Eagley made a good start in reply and were 52 without loss, when wickets tumbled. They were rocking at 90-5 before John Hinks held up one end as Sidney de Silva blasted away at the other to finish in style with a four and six to bring up his 50 and victory.

Egerton's slow over rate cost them victory at neighbours Tonge. It took them nearly three hours and 20 minutes to complete their 50 overs. Rain brought the match to an abrupt end with Egerton 31 runs short of victory with seven overs remaining, and had they had not been as slow they would have won the game. Tonge made 251-7 with Nisar 57, Saffy Imail 59 and Simon Anderton 63, but Egerton had lost just two wickets including that of Patel for 52 when rain stopped play. Gary Garner was going great guns unbeaten on 111.

Heaton had the upper hand against Farnworth but could not finish them off. Heaton made 211-7 with Paul Rayment 118 and Mike Ward 55, sharing in a third wicket stand of 145. Farnworth struggled to 148-8 when rain stopped play with one over left.