Kearsley pro Fazel Akber turned the championship chase on its head with a seven wicket haul that skittled

defending champions Walkden for a meagre 65.

And that came as Walkden chased a Kearsley total of only 69 to win.

Walkden's Phil Ingram gave the first indication of the terrors the wicket held for the batsmen snapping up three wickets for eight runs - but that was nothing compared to Akber's efforts.

His side must have felt they had no chance of defending their lowly total but the Pakistan paceman ripped through the Walkden order picking up his seven wickets for only 25 runs with Shahid Mahboob picking up the other three for eight runs.

That left Tonge sitting on top after they had completed a seven wicket win over struggling Eagley.

Pro Adil Nisar was their man of the match taking 5-40 before hitting an unbeaten 68.

With Ian Eccleshare taking 3-47 Eagley were dismissed for 131, only pro Javed defying the bowlers with an innings of 55.

In reply Nisar's effort plus Rick Northrop's 34 eased Tonge to 132-3 and a ten points lead at the top.

Horwich moved into second place following their eight wickets win at Egerton.

David White's 5-49 and Andy Taylor's 3-39 restricted Egerton to a disappointing 116-9 before captain Grant Long eased Horwich to 117-2 with an unbeaten 63.

Westhoughton hit 211-8 against Bradshaw but just failed to take the final wicket to clinch a win. Pro Abdur Khan top scored with 46 while Ian Pilkington added 46 and Alan Gaskell 45, with Dave Tattersall and Amal Dalugoda taking four wickets each for Bradshaw.

Neil Johnson 54 helped Bradshaw to 176-9, Tattersall coming in to face and defend the final ball to ensure the draw.

Farnworth Social Circle enjoyed a 21 run win over Heaton thanks in the main to pro Quasir Rashid and Dean Eckersley.

The pro hit 73 and Eckersley 41 in Circle's 181-9before the pair set about dismissing the Heaton batsmen.

Eckersley claimed five wickets for 46 and Rashid picked up 3-38 while for Heaton, Hirwani took 7-73 and Jonathan Fearick scored 52.

Farnworth managed to limit Astley Bridge to 140, pro Ahmed taking 6-60 but they are stilll looking for their first win after they were bundled out for a meagre 68, all the Bridge bowlers picking up wickets.

MARK Stewart completed a magnificent weekend of wicket-taking for Greenmount.

On Saturday he took 6-20 wickets against Eagley then 24 hours later followed it up with 8-56 at Little Lever.

That helped dismiss the home side for 113 before Greenmount sped to an eight wicket win with pro Robin Morris hitting 63 and Gary Chadwick 40.

KEARSLEY pro Fazel Akber turned the championship chase on its head with a seven wicket haul that skittled

defending champions Walkden for a meagre 65.

And that came as Walkden chased a Kearsley total of only 69 to win.

Walkden's Phil Ingram gave the first indication of the terrors the wicket held for the batsmen snapping up three wickets for eight runs - but that was nothing compared to Akber's efforts.

His side must have felt they had no chance of defending their lowly total but the Pakistan paceman ripped through the Walkden order picking up his seven wickets for only 25 runs with Shahid Mahboob picking up the other three for eight runs.

That left Tonge sitting on top after they had completed a seven wicket win over struggling Eagley.

Pro Adil Nisar was their man of the match taking 5-40 before hitting an unbeaten 68.

With Ian Eccleshare taking 3-47 Eagley were dismissed for 131, only pro Javed defying the bowlers with an innings of 55.

In reply Nisar's effort plus Rick Northrop's 34 eased Tonge to 132-3 and a ten points lead at the top.

Horwich moved into second place following their eight wickets win at Egerton.

David White's 5-49 and Andy Taylor's 3-39 restricted Egerton to a disappointing 116-9 before captain Grant Long eased Horwich to 117-2 with an unbeaten 63.

Westhoughton hit 211-8 against Bradshaw but just failed to take the final wicket to clinch a win. Pro Abdur Khan top scored with 46 while Ian Pilkington added 46 and Alan Gaskell 45, with Dave Tattersall and Amal Dalugoda taking four wickets each for Bradshaw.

Neil Johnson 54 helped Bradshaw to 176-9, Tattersall coming in to face and defend the final ball to ensure the draw.

Farnworth Social Circle enjoyed a 21 run win over Heaton thanks in the main to pro Quasir Rashid and Dean Eckersley.

The pro hit 73 and Eckersley 41 in Circle's 181-9before the pair set about dismissing the Heaton batsmen.

Eckersley claimed five wickets for 46 and Rashid picked up 3-38 while for Heaton, Hirwani took 7-73 and Jonathan Fearick scored 52.

Farnworth managed to limit Astley Bridge to 140, pro Ahmed taking 6-60 but they are stilll looking for their first win after they were bundled out for a meagre 68, all the Bridge bowlers picking up wickets.