Horwich won the battle of the strugglers to climb away from the bottom of the Bolton League table on Saturday.

For a time, however, victory looked a forlorn hope as they were shot out for a disappointing 112 by Astley Bridge.

Yet they showed tremendous determination to turn the game around, bowling Bridge out for 100 to win by 12 runs.

That was enough to take them three places up the table leaving Bridge with the added disappointment of taking over bottom spot. It was the batting partnership of Andy Taylor and Darren Preston that initially gave Horwich hope. They had been reduced to 66-8 mainly due to the bowling of Bridge pro Mahboob who finished with figures of 7-43, but Taylor's 42 not out allied to Preston's stubborn determination helped put on 45 and more importantly a total to defend.

Grant Long, leading Horwich again, used his bowlers well to keep Bridge on the back foot and only Martin Seddon managed to get the ball away with any conviction to hit 33. Long, however, ended with 6-31 to earn his side their first win of the season.

At the other end of the table, Kearsley's domination goes on.

Eagley were their latest victims this week in a nine wicket defeat but for a time it seemed as if they might pose a sterner test.

At 143-3 they were looking towards a score that might have given the leaders one or two anxious thoughts but then Dave Tattersall and Dick Powell got among the wickets and Eagley lost their last seven batsmen for the addition of only 27 runs. Kearsley's reply took 46 overs and three half centuries, Steve Davies 50 not out, Craig Duxbury 56 and Paul Berry 52 not out.

For Eagley, Dave Leonard top scored with 54 and Powell finished with 3-53 and Tattersall 4-38.

Westhoughton again ignored the handicap of playing without a professional to beat Heaton by seven wickets - a result that moves them into second place in the table.

West Indian amateur Patrick Holder proved the key man taking 6-39 as Heaton were reduced to 134 all out. Holder then followed it up with 34 off the bat but the main runs contributor for Westhoughton was Andy Forshaw, whose unbeaten 53 gave them a winning total of 135-3.

Farnworth were also grateful for overseas help as they scored a two wicket win at Bradshaw. Aussie Danny Bryant picked up five wickets for 53 to limit the home side to 150 before scoring an unbeaten 62 in a ninth wicket half century partnership with Nick Sutton.

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