TONGE turned up the heat on the Bolton League's top teams as they slipped ominously, and almost unnoticed, into second place behind leaders Egerton.

The champions of the last three seasons would dearly love to take it for a fourth time but their early season form seemed to suggest that it was out of their reach.

Yet no other side was able to break away and put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.

Egerton and Westhoughton looked as if they were capable of doing that but a poor run over the last few weeks has seen them both hauled back into the fray.

And in the meantime, Tonge started to pick up points and at the same time rediscover their form, particularly the batting.

That was demonstrated at Eagley on Saturday when they strolled to a seven wicket win, their winning reply of 157-3 coming off only 30 overs.

Much of that was due to the unbeaten 51 from Dion Botha who reached his half century and his side's win with a six, while Nigel Hallows played the anchor role with 37. Earlier Tonge's greatest asset, pro Iqbal Sikander again produced the goods, taking 7-54 to spark off an Eagley collapse from 101-3 to 156 all out. The century had come up in quick time despite pro Ian Mitchell suffering a run out but Phil McDermott's good looking 40 plus 30 from overseas player Andy Bowker looked to have settled the situation until Sikander came on to the scene.

Slumped

The only problem for Tonge was the recurrence of a hamstring strain for Simon Anderton. He looked to be going well at 26 when he was forced to retire and that could again sideline him for a couple or more weeks.

Egerton and Westhoughton both had to settle for draws in their matches against Kearsley and Farnworth SC.

Rain and bad light eventually halted proceedings at Longworth Road after Egerton had reached 154 off 47 overs and Kearsley were 91-6 in reply. Egerton's problems came when they were reduced from 62-0 to 87-6 but Chuck O'Rourke's 50 plus a fine knock of 31 from John Sharples helped them to their final total.

Kearsley never really got started and were probably quite happy to call it a day after 41 overs. They had slumped to 52-6 after Tim Barry had picked up 4-25 but a determined 34 not out from Scott Woods left them on 91-6 when the game was called off.

Pro Craig Norris was Greenmount's inspiration in their six wicket win at Astley Bridge.

He collected 6-67 while Mark Stewart had 4-40 as Bridge were all out for 110. Norris then added 37 with the bat, Bowker 30 and Greenmount were home and dry on 111-4.

Bradshaw were four wicket winners after dismissing Farnworth for 157.

Renier Potgieter collected 5-64 to limit Farnworth to 157 before Paul Stafford added 42 in the winning reply.

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