ALPHABETICAL Order kept Advance Computer Systems at the top of the John Smith's Farnworth Winter Rounders League after their comfortable win over the youngsters of FSCCC B, but Hanson had a more difficult task to stay with them, beating Victoria by just 10 runs.

Bolton Motor Bodies turned out with just six players against third placed Siddons and put in a tremendous first innings performance to be just eight runs behind at the interval. Admittedly, Siddons put in a below par performance and threw away a few rounders, but Motor Bodies played with great determination to keep in touch by 21 runs.

Westhoughton & District had the luxury of declaring against Bolton Lads and Girls Club to stay top of the Halliwell table. With gale force winds sweeping across Barlow Park, to make playing conditions difficult, the players were all quite happy to end the match and seek shelter.

Fox Trots wiped out a 30-run handicap to go 14 ahead of St Mary's in the first innings and stay second in the table, just one point off the lead.

Darcy XI are now third, two points clear of Smithills Coaching House, after recording a satisfying 52 run victory over them. Although Smithills have a game in hand (against Darcy), they are now on 14 points along with St Mary's and Bolton Castle, who returned to action with a 40-run victory over Pineapple XI.