WITH the exception of Capital's innings win over FSCCC B, who are improving week by week, the results in the John Smith's Farnworth League were remarkably close .

Hanson and Advance Computer started the day sharing top spot, so were understandably keen to play the match rather than settle for a point each. Hanson took a 10-run lead on the first innings at 77 to 67, but ACS turned the tables in the second innings, scoring 77 against 62 to win by 144 runs to 139 and go two points clear at the head of the table.

Bolton Motor Bodies again turned in an excellent performance and were rewarded with a 12-run win over FSCCC A, after being just three runs ahead on the first innings.

Siddons held a lead of 11 runs in the first innings against Imago, but let the points slip away in the second, and lost by three runs. In the remaining match, Adlington took the honours when they beat Victoria by a comfortable 39 run margin.

No change at the top of the Halliwell League as Westhoughton & District and Fox Trots both won comfortably. Behind them, however, four teams are now tied on 16 points following Darcy XI's four run defeat at the hands of St Mary's. Those two are joined by Bolton Castle, who won a close match against Halliwell Allsorts by nine runs, thanks to their handicap start of 10, and Smithills Coaching House who crushed Lower Pools.

Bolton Lads & Girls Club had to give Hulton Lane Ladies a 20-run start and lost by 26, but they could not blame the handicap because they again played short, fielding just seven players, and paid the price.