Kearsley produced took another firm step towards the Bolton League championship with a nine wicket win after dismissing Horwich for only 45, writes Sports Editor Peter Mensforth

And their title bid was strengthened even more as second placed Egerton could only tie with Eagley in a dramatic match at Longworth Road.

But the day belonged to Kearsley bowlers Mel Whittle and deputy professional Atta-ur-Rehman, who stood in for hamstring victim Fazal Akber.

They dominated the game, the Pakistan player picking up six wickets for 23 off 16 overs while at the other end Whittle played his part capturing three wickets for 17 runs off 16 overs.

With only 46 needed to win the game John Ratledge 18 and Chris Monks 16 led the way, Kearsley romping home in eight overs.

Eagley were all out for 119 at Egerton, pro Brad White hitting 29 in 46 overs. In contrast his Egerton counterpart Neil McGarrell took the bowling honours with 7-25 off 18 overs.

The target looked well within Egerton's reach but with the ball swinging about all over the place so did the fortunes of the two sides. As it was Egerton looked favourites to win at 116-8 needing four runs with two wickets in hand but then White picked up his second wicket in an over then his South African team mate Jamie Wilson trapped Steve Price leg before on the first ball of the last over to tie the game.

Farnworth failed to make it two wins in two days as they scrambled a draw against Walkden.

Chasing the visitors 159-8 they were 62-9 at the finish, Bernard Reidy claiming 5-36. Earlier in the Walkden innings, David Smith top scored with 47 and Mike Bennison 30.

Tonge were convincing eight wicket winners after bowling Heaton out for 121, Gary Garner hitting 43 not out in that total.

Pro Iqbal Sikander claimed 7-53 then David Celep hit 48 and Danny Rees 53 not out as Tonge knocked off the runs in quick time.

Little Lever and Westhoughton drew in a rain affected match at The Tyldesleys

Justin Orchard top scored with 59 for Little Lever with Lee Baldwin continuing his good form with 45, but from 100-0 their fortunes dipped and they could only add another 79 runs while losing eight wickets. In reply Westhoughton lost 11 overs to the weather and hit 130-6, Steve Parker hitting 51.

Greenmount lost their second match of the weekend as their batting - so often their strongest part of their game - let them down again.

Chasing Farnworth Social Circle's 146 in which Mike O'Rourke took 6-33 off nine they were all out for 125, only Mark Fallon 36 and Gary Chadwick 38 showing any resistance.

Bradshaw batsmen David Morris and Sairaj Bahutule set a club record second wicket stand as they piled up 265 between them against luckless Astley Bridge,

Profesional Bahutule hit 122 not out and Morris 115 not out in Bradshaw's total of 284-1.

Against that Bridge at least got a share of the spoils reaching 153-4, pro Sher Ali 50 not out.