Kearsley edged nearer to the Bolton League championship with a decisive victory set up by three of their major players.

Pro Fazel Akber, and father and son combination Mel and Tom Whittle have helped transform the side into championship material with a series of performances that have introduced a harder edge to Kearsley's game.

That was responsible for taking them to the top of the table - and keeping them there as the challenges of most of their rivals were beaten off.

On Saturday it was Farnworth Social Circle who were swept aside but to their credit Circle did pose one or two problems before the game was decided.

At one stage it looked destined to be a rather comfortable victory for Kearsley as Whittle senior and pro Akber decimated the Circle batting line up for 127.

Out of that total Richard Hope occupied the crease for the whole innings only losing his wicket to a last ball run out after he had scored 75.

Kearsley's expected romp was put on hold as Kevin Darlington picked up three early wickets to leave them wobbling on 50-5. Another wicket at that stage would almost certainly cost them the match but once Tom Whittle and Chris Monks came together they beat off Circle's threat with a sensible approach to batting; picking off the required runs in a half century partnership that earned their side a five wicket win.

Whittle dominated the partnership with his unbeaten 57 with Monks more than playing his part with a useful and solid 20 not out.

While that was being played out, retiring champions Tonge were involved in a match that 12 months ago would have been a title decider.

For the last two seasons Westhoughton have been pipped by Tonge for the top honour and ironically this year when the Castle Hill side's form has dipped so has Westhoughton's.

Yet on Saturday it was Westhoughton's turn to come out on top. It hasn't given them the title but has strengthened their hold on a Lancashire Knockout place for next season.

Their total of 151-7 did not look good enough to defy Tonge but an inspired spell of bowling from Patrick Holder and Jonathan Fielding, the Walshaw pro deputising for injured Bhanabai, made the difference.

Tonge looked comfortable at 132-5 with Anderton looking the likely matchwinner having scored a fine half century but then the two bowlers struck. Holder and Fielding took the remaining five wickets for eight runs in 21 balls, Holder taking three in four balls, his chance of a hat-trick going when Fielding took the last wicket in the 49th over to clinch an 11 run win.

Tonge should perhaps have noticed what had gone on in the Westhoughton innings when they reached 90-2 but then lost the next five wickets for 45 runs.

Astley Bridge's search for an elusive first win came to nothing at Heaton where they were beaten by 28 runs.

Gary Garner scored 71 in the home side's total of 148 but Bridge could only respond with 120, 72 coming from pro Sher Ali, Jon West collecting six wickets for 31 runs.

Eagley came within an ace of a win, the Walkden last pair denying them at 120-9 chasing 176.

Jamie Wilson scored 50 for Eagley with Steve Foster, Walkden's main tormentor taking 5-44.

Brilliant White put Bradshaw in the shade as they tumbled to a three wicket defeat at home to Horwich.

Pro David White took eight wickets for 58 dismissing Bradshaw for 146 then hitting 59, which along with Andy Taylor's 31, helped them to victory with eight balls remaining.

A tricky wicket dominated Greenmount's performance at Egerton before the home side emerged three wicket winners.

The usual free scoring Greenmount batsmen were restricted to 108-7 with Mike O'Rourke, who doesn't waste too much time scoring runs, taking 20 overs to score 33.

Credit to good bowling by Neil McGarrell 3-40 off 25, 15 of those runs coming off the last three overs, and Stuart Hornby 3-39.

Egerton also had a few problems with their reply losing Tim Barry with a broken thumb before wickets started tumbling. Eventually a fine 28 from Travis Sawers saw them recover from 10-4 to emerge winners at 109-7.

Little Lever made short work of beating Farnworth, dismissing them for 48 in a ten wicket victory.

South African Justin Orchard played a starring role picking up two wickets for three runs then hitting 45 not out out of a winning total of 50-0.

Lee Baldwin was once again among the wickets for Little Lever taking 5-27, Billy Noakes providing Farnworth's only resistance with a brave knock of 27.