Farnworth Social Circle’s hundred hero Jameel Stuart is refusing to concede defeat to Little Lever just yet in the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League’s Premiership title race.

Bajan professional Stuart’s stunning unbeaten 152 off just 94 balls and 4-46 from seven overs of off-spin decided the Farnworth derby at Piggott Park on Saturday, with help from opening batter and fellow centurion Elliot Colclough.

They shared a fabulous unbroken third-wicket partnership of 243 in 28 overs, with unbeaten Colclough posting a beautifully paced 100 off 123 balls in 310-2 from 45 overs.

Before a ball was bowled, Farnworth were second and hosts Social Circle third.

But Farnworth, for whom captain Simon Booth did not bat, were 183-9 in reply. Stuart and his team-mates jumped up a place ahead of Sunday’s games, thanks to the 127-run win.

“At the end of the day, you just never know,” said Stuart on Saturday, who also saw Dave Mather claim four wickets.

“There’s still five games left. We just have to take care of ourselves and see what happens.”

Despite Saturday’s excellence, Social Circle still require snookers, though Stuart’s never-say-die attitude is no surprise: “Chris Barrow (team-mate) always says to me I’m the most competitive person he’s ever met,” he chuckled.

This was no laughing matter for Farnworth, who were taken to task by two contrasting innings after the hosts fell to 67-2 after 17 overs.

While Colclough was measured, former Barbados Under-19s captain Stuart smashed 14 sixes.

Stuart, aged 28, is the leading Premiership runs-scorer this season with 1,191, including four hundreds. Jofra Archer’s former age-group captain in Barbados is averaging 85.07 added to 42 wickets.

But here’s a man who sets high standards for himself and a Social Circle team skippered by Tim Barrow.

“When I look at myself from last year (1,204 runs, seven hundreds), I’ve been getting a lot of starts this year and not carrying on,” he continued.

“Last year, when I got those starts, I was going on and scoring hundreds. I could have pushed on more this year.

“We thought we could win the league, but I think we could have been a lot better as a team.

“A couple of factors have played a part. Fielding a consistent team is the main problem. If we’d had that, we could have been a bit closer to Little Lever.

“Not to make excuses, because we could have batted a lot better, including myself.”

Not only is Stuart an impressive cricketer, he’s also an impressive individual.

He’s currently in his second year as Social Circle’s pro, though this is the first of a new three-year deal.

“I’ve never been one to club hop as we say in Barbados,” he said. “I don’t want to go to a club for a year and leave.

“I want to make an impact, I want to help build the youngsters as well. That’s a big thing.

“Even kids from other clubs around the area, I coach them.

“It’s about developing cricket in the area as well as developing Farnworth Social Circle.”

With that, Stuart - a cricket development officer on Lancashire’s ACE programme - runs his own coaching academy.

“I didn’t do any summer camps this year because I’ve just started my job at Lancashire and didn’t get the time,” he added. “But we’re doing winter camps, starting October 2, at Cricket Point in Bolton.

“We’ll be doing that for two blocks of 10 weeks either side of Christmas.

“We’ve got the extra incentive for people coming to the academy this year. We’re planning a trip to Barbados next October. It’s very exciting.”

n If your child is interested in joining Stuart’s winter camps, contact him on 07735 129952 or WhatsApp on either 07432 795503 or +12 468205933. Places remain available.