GREENMOUNT maintained a firm grip on the Hamer Cup by reaching the final, but there they will meet fierce rivals Westhoughton.

Two of the three leading sides in the Bolton League were both given cup scares in yesterday's semi-final.

Heaton had Greenmount reeling at 26-6, before professional Nishit Shetty produced a superb batting display in which he scored 67 dragging his side to 130 all out. Hirwani did the damage taking 7-46.

It should not have been enough, but Heaton produced an awful batting display and contrived to get themselves all out for 123. Jonathan Fearick hit 34 and Pat Gallagher 31, six of the latter's coming in controversial circumstances when Andrew Bowker caught him on the boundary edge, but before he stepped over the ropes, threw the ball to another fielder. The umpire, however, awarded a six, but fortunately it did not affect the result.

There was a similar scare at Westhoughton, where the home side also batted poorly, and struggled to 140 all out, after they rallied from 111-9.

Steve Parker was top scorer with 29, while Craig MacKellar (18), and Bhanabai (7), put on 29 for the last wicket. Paul Grundy took 5-25.

In reply, inconsistent Farnworth had a bad day with the bat, and only Tim Barrow produced any resistance with 18. Extras topped the scoring with 34.

MacKellar took 4-22 and Antonio Mayers 3-31.