Walkden underlined their Bolton League championship credentials with a crushing victory over Egerton.

While leaders Tonge had to rely on a rescue act to avoid defeat against Horwich, Walkden drew level at the top after completing an 89 run victory in quick time at Longworth Road.

They took just over 20 overs to end Egerton's challenge, sweeping them out for a meagre 76 - 30 of those runs coming from Tim Barry. John Smith took 5-37 off ten overs and pro Paul Rayment, who has been retained for next year, had 5-39 off 11.

The two bowlers were well supported in the field, eight Egerton batsmen going to catches.

Earlier Walkden had produced a gritty batting show, reaching 165-8 with Rayment 44 and Clarkson 38. Again skipper Tim Barry was Egerton's main provider taking 3-28 off nine overs.

Horwich came within an ace of producing the shock of the day with an inspired performance against Bolton League leaders Tonge.

After hitting 169-8 at Castle Hill they had Tonge on the ropes with the last pair at the wicket and ten overs remaining.

Yet Ian Taylor and John Eccleshare, who was called up to fill a last minute vacancy, managed to defy everything that Horwich bowled at them. They pulled off an amazing rescue act,finishing unbeaten and salvaging a bonus point as Tonge drew the game at 142-9.

At one stage, survival had looked unlikely as Grant Long produced an inspired show against his old club. The South African claimed six wickets for 45, only Matthew Bode with 60 and of course the last pair, showing any resistance. Phil Ingram was the top scorer for Horwich with 44.

Eagley were left cursing the weather as they were left totally frustrated at Greenmount.

The home side built a handy total of 194-9, Keith Webb 56 and Andy Dowton 40 but Eagley quickly launched a victory charge through pro Dirkie de Vos and Brent Richards. De Vos followed up his 5-55 bowling show with an unbeaten 70 while Richards was 60 not out taking the side to the brink of success at 184-3.

Yet that's where it all ended, the rain coming down to end the challenge and leave Eagley a tantalising 11 runs from claiming winning points with four overs remaining.

Heaton put on a convincing show as they overwhelmed Bradshaw by nine wickets.

And they too wasted little time, reaching a target of 220-1 in 33 overs after Bradshaw had scored an impressive 215-5.

Simon Thompson hit 101 and Aussie Jason Swift an unbeaten 82 in an opening partnership of 188, which was only 14 runs short of the Heaton record set by David Fitzgerald and John Whittle. Thompson's century contained 10 fours and four sixes while Swift contributed 13 fours.

Once Thompson had gone, pro Chris Salisbury piled on the agony for Bradshaw, hitting 26 off six balls with four sixes and a couple of singles.

All that left Bradshaw a little shell-shocked as a total of 215 with rain threatening is not usually a recipe for defeat, In their innings, pro Sajid Shah hit eight fours and six sixes in his 81 while David Morris added a solid half century.

Westhoughton and Astley Bridge dodged the showers all afternoon but in the end were unable to avoid an early finish.

Ian Pilkington continued his good form with the bat hitting 61 in Westhoughton's 200-5 off 42 overs, Stuart Harrison also batting well for an unbeaten 51 and Rod Estwick 46.

Ian Warren replied with 40 not out for Bridge who had reached 102-5 before more persistent rain eventually forced them off after 33 overs. The two Farnworth clubs were both washed out on Saturday.

At Springfield Road, Kearsley and Farnworth locked horns again just three days after their Lancashire Knockout encounter yet no result was possible this time as play ended with the visitors 79-1, Brad Hodge 40 not out.

Social Circle at home to Little Lever, had reached 49 without loss when they were forced to retreat to the pavilion.

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