CHAMPIONS Little Lever fired an early title warning with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Walkden.

Tony Keays' 88 put Walkden on their way to 157-9 but Little Lever pro Mel Whittle ensured the target remained within reach with a seven-wicket haul for 68 runs.

In reply, overseas amateur Jason Swift hit an unbeaten 66 as the title holders finished the job.

Westhoughton recovered from an early wobble to comfortably make it two wins out of two against Horwich.

The home side had Rick Parker (42) and Stuart Harrison (62) to thank as they came to the rescue at 64-5. Their 108 partnership, along with an important knock of 31 by pro Rod Estwick - who only arrived in the country in the early hours of the morning, put Westhoughton in the driving seat.

The target was too much for the visitors, especially with home captain Mike Crookson and Patrick Holder in fine form with the ball. Crookson took four wickets in as many overs and for just one run while Holder grabbed 5-42 as Horwich, despite a spirited 59 by pro Grant Long, collapsed to 90 all out.

Teenager Matthew Parkinson was the day's highest scorer when he hit exactly 100 in Farnworth Social Circle's impressive victory over Astley Bridge. The target of 183-8 was too much for the visitors who could only muster 132 with Phil Warren top scoring with 35.

Tonge got the better of Egerton who opened with 166-9 mainly due to hits of 59 from captain Wayne Harper and 43 from Mike O'Rourke, Ian Taylor doing most of the damage with the ball with 5-41,

Jim Aspden's 52 and Simon Anderton's 40 saw Tonge home with three wickets to spare.

Farnworth came out tops in a low scoring encounter at Heaton who must have thought they had done the hard work when they whittled the visitors out for exactly 100.

But Damian Bryant got to work on Heaton's batsmen and his 5-35 was the main reason for the home side's collapse for just 89. Big hitting Steve Dublin struck four mighty sixes in a typically exciting knock of 48 as Kearsley set a target of 211-6 at Greenmount.

Dick Powell's five-wicket haul frustrated the home side who hung on for the draw with 163-9, pro Andy Williams starring with 54.

Bradshaw's Ian Moss was in devastating form as he almost single handedly restricted Eagley to 78 all out with 8-48. Paul Rayment hit an unbeaten 40 as Bradshaw finished the job with seven wickets to spare.

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