Six-hit Gareth's a last-gasp winner

In a terrific game that swung one way and then the other Greenmount made 202-5 after they had struggled to 111-4 with just eight overs remaining. Mark Stewart joined John Ashworth and hit a quickfire 54 off 29 balls with five 6s and three 4s. Ashworth was 56 not out as he and Stewart hammered 83 runs in eight overs.

Eagley must have thought they had blown it but buoyed up by a solid 50 from Scott Woods and 43 by David Tonge fought their way back into the game. They took Eagley to 123-2 before wickets began to tumble and with three third teamers as tail-enders all looked lost. The youngsters had other ideas, however, and Prendergast, despite making his debut, was far from fazed. With five runs needed for victory wand two balls left he blasted Stewart for a six. It was rough justice for Stewart who had been Greenmount's hero with bat and ball and finished with 5-70.

Kearsley had too much ammunition to be worried by struggling Farnworth.

The side, pipped for the title by Walkden's powerful finish last season, restricted the visitors to 132-9 thanks to the top class bowling of Pakistani Test paceman Fazl-e-Akber 5-32 and veteran Mel Whittle 4-52. Only pro Shafiq Ahmed offered any resistance for Farnworth with an unbeaten 55.

In reply Kearsley passed their target for the loss of five wickets with 10 overs remaining. Top scorers were Stephen Davies 30 and Tom Whittle 34.

Tonge were in for a surprise against high-flying Horwich who dismissed them for a shock 89. Tonge were at one stage 28-7 and 35-8 before Ian Taylor 32 and Dave Barlow 20 shared in a 50 run partnership to give some respectability. Paul O'Sullivan, who had laboured in the Kearsley second team last season, proved what a useful acquisition he is by taking 5-15 with his medium pace swing bowling. In reply Grant Long hit 38 as Horwich strolled home by seven wickets to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Westhoughton had a mixed weekend with the victory on Saturday being overshadowed by a disappointing performance against Astley Bridge. The visitors made 218-6 with Jadhav 79 and Tim Barry 48 with Mubarek Patel taking 4-46. In reply Westhoughton collapsed to 162 all out, Steve Parker's 31 the only battling innings as Barry finished with 3-36 and William Halton 4-53.

Little Lever made light of Farnworth Social Circle's all out total of 174. They won by six wickets with Paul Rayment 68 well supported by pro Sajeewa Desilva.

Walkden toiled away at Egerton for 176 but it was enough for victory, Mike Bennison held the innings together with 64 as Saj Mahmood took 5-44 and Chris Tye 5-48. In reply Egerton were dismissed for 142 with only Gary Garner's 62 a threat to the visitors.

Mark Mort's 51 was the key to Heaton's victory as they reached 169-5 to beat Bradshaw. The visitors were held to 163-8 with Hirwani taking 5-63 as David Morris top scored with 73.

TEENAGER Gareth Prendergast had a debut he will never forget when he hit a six off the penultimate ball to give Eagley a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Greenmount.

In a terrific game that swung one way and then the other Greenmount made 202-5 after they had struggled to 111-4 with just eight overs remaining.

Mark Stewart joined John Ashworth and hit a quickfire 54 off 29 balls with five sixes and three fours. Ashworth was 56 not out as he and Stewart hammered 83 runs in eight overs.

Eagley must have thought they had blown it but buoyed up by a solid 50 from Scott Woods and 43 by David Tonge fought their way back into the game.

They took Eagley to 123-2 before wickets began to tumble and with three third teamers as tail-enders all looked lost. The youngsters had other ideas, however, and Prendergast, despite making his debut, was far from fazed. With five runs needed for victory and two balls left he blasted Stewart for a six. It was rough justice for Stewart who had been Greenmount's hero with bat and ball and finished with 5-70.

Kearsley had too much ammunition to be worried by struggling Farnworth.

The side, pipped for the title by Walkden's powerful finish last season, restricted the visitors to 132-9 thanks to the top class bowling of Pakistani Test paceman Fazl-e-Akber, 5-32, and veteran Mel Whittle, 4-52. Only pro Shafiq Ahmed offered any resistance for Farnworth with an unbeaten 55.

In reply Kearsley passed their target for the loss of five wickets with 10 overs remaining. Top scorers were Stephen Davies 30 and Tom Whittle 34.

Tonge were in for a surprise against high-flying Horwich who dismissed them for a shock 89. Tonge were at one stage 28-7 and 35-8 before Ian Taylor 32 and Dave Barlow 20 shared in a 50 run partnership to give some respectability. Paul O'Sullivan, who had laboured in the Kearsley second team last season, proved what a useful acquisition he is by taking 5-15 with his medium pace swing bowling. In reply Grant Long hit 38 as Horwich strolled home by seven wickets to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Westhoughton had a mixed weekend with the victory on Saturday being overshadowed by a disappointing performance against Astley Bridge. The visitors made 218-6 with Jadhav 79 and Tim Barry 48 with Mubarek Patel taking 4-46. In reply Westhoughton collapsed to 162 all out, Steve Parker's 31 the only battling innings as Barry finished with 3-36 and William Halton 4-53.

Little Lever made light of Farnworth Social Circle's all out total of 174. They won by six wickets with Paul Rayment's 68 well supported by pro Sajeewa Desilva.

Walkden toiled away at Egerton for 176 but it was enough for victory, Mike Bennison held the innings together with 64 as Saj Mahmood took 5-44 and Chris Tye 5-48. In reply Egerton were dismissed for 142 with only Gary Garner's 62 a threat to the visitors.

Mark Mort's 51 was the key to Heaton's victory as they reached 169-5 to beat Bradshaw. The visitors were held to 163-8 with Hirwani taking 5-63 as David Morris top scored with 73.