CHAMPIONS Walkden managed to beat the showers to close the gap on leaders Horwich to 12 points writes David Magilton

Struggling Farnworth suffered another mauling when they were bowled out for 102 despite a resilient 57 from pro Ahmed, who rallied his side from a disastrous start when they lost three wickets without scoring.

Bernard Reidy was the pick of Walkden's bowling with 4-18 and in reply the home side cruised home for the loss of one wicket with David Smith unbeaten on 53 and Michael Bennison on 45.

Tonge had a similar result at Heaton which kept them in joint second spot. Ian Eccleshare did the damage with 5-39 to dismiss Heaton for 149. Tonge's pro Nisar then took charge with a magnificent unbeaten 107 which included 15 fours and four sixes to see his side home by nine wickets.

Bradshaw's hopes of beating Astley Bridge were washed out by the rain. Bridge made 186-9 with Siddique 48 and Stephen Entwistle 39, but Bradshaw were frustrated when they had to come off on 97-1 with David Morris going strong on 47 and Andy Kerr on 36.

Another nine wicket win was recorded by Egerton who romped home in their derby clash with Eagley.

The home side got off to a good start and hit 36 off nine overs, but when Scott Woods, who had scored all but one of them was out, wickets tumbled quickly. Michael O'Rourke and Paul Burton shared three wickets each.

O'Rourke dominated Egerton's reply to finish unbeaten on 76 with good support from Gary Garner.

Farnworth Social Circle squeezed home in a topsy-turvy match against Greenmount. The visitors were dismissed for 126 with John Ashworth 49 and Mark Stewart a quickfire 30 which lifted the score after Greenmount had slumped to 82-8. Dean Eckersley took 4-66.

Circle had a great start with an opening stand of 82, but when Michael Ashworth went for 47 wickets tumbled at an alarming rate, but the home side kept their nerve to win by two wickets. Stewart had 3-50 and Morris 3-65.

Horwich's game with Kearsley was another victim of the weather when the Springfield Road side looked well on course to inflict the first defeat of the season on Horwich.

The home side made 160-7 with Grant Long in the runs again with 43 as Mel Whittle took 5-46. Kearsley had reached 138-4 when the rains washed out play. Darron Foy had made a useful 60 and Jordan Thornley 39.

Little Lever celebrated their third win of the season thanks largely to the efforts of their deputy professional Iqbal Siddiqui who plays for Royton. Sajeewa Desilva had been called up by the touring Sri Lankans but the former Indian Test player stepped in and took 4-45 to help dismiss Westhoughton for 125. Siddiqui was top scorer on 58 as Lever reached the required total with three wickets remaining.