DARCY Lever moved to the brink of securing the Bolton League Second XI Premiership title last weekend following a comfortable seven-wicket win against Astley Bridge at Sharples Park.

In a rain-reduced game, Bridge batted first and were restricted to just 93-7 as Adil Sajjad took 3-14 with only Ady Cooper, who carried his bat for 36, the only real resistance.

In reply, all five batsmen who went in reached double figures led by Zeeshan Ali, who made 31, as Darcy got home with time to spare.

Heaton slipped to third following a terrific game against Farnworth Social Circle which saw the teams share more than 450 runs before Social came out on top by five wickets.

Set a target of 236 they chased it down thanks to fine knocks from Ayan Soma (65) and Andy Brooks (56 not out), with Max Perry (33) and Azan Riaz (28) adding solid support.

Heaton’s total of 235-4 had been built around an excellent partnership of 149 between Neil Williams-Denton, who hit 97, and Matt Bell, who made 83, with Vishal Bhandari adding 25.

Westhoughton moved above them into second place as a result of Adlington being unable to raise a team and conceding their match.

Lostock returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 10-wicket defeat of visitors Horwich RMI.

Horwich elected to bat first and were rocked by a fine spell of 4-21 from Darren Parr, with only three men managing to reach double figures in a total of just 95, as Asghar Ali mopped up the tail, taking 3-17.

An unbroken opening partnership of 97 between Dan Cockton (51no) and Ste Kaye (36no) ensured an early finish.

Kearsley came out on top of the basement battle at Springfield Road with a six-wicket victory over fellow strugglers Bradshaw.

Chasing just 118 to win, Darren Whittle, with 28, and Grant Cordin (29) set up a relatively comfortable chase, adding 54 for the first wicket.

Bradshaw had been restricted to 117-8 as the home bowlers shared out the wickets with only Jo Legg and Luke Needham, who made 25 each, threatening a bigger score.

Farnworth need just one more win to clinch the Association title having already secured promotion with a 36-run win against Little Lever.

Michael Daley led the way once more as he continued his excellent season, making an unbeaten 101 to set up a total of 188-7 despite Joe Rushton taking 4-35.

Lever gave it a good go but Shujat Ali undermined their efforts with a spell of 6-33 and, despite 36 from Don Heyes and 27 from Tuseef Hanif, they finished on 158.

Golborne also secured promotion following a hard fought two-wicket victory over Blackrod in a low-scoring game.

Chasing just 108 they were made to fight all the way, particularly by Tony Tipping who took 3-7 but 21 from Jamie Foster helped them limp home.

Blackrod’s innings had followed a similar pattern as Ben Lyon took 3-36 and Chris Readey top scored with 20 in a score of 106-8.

Atherton got themselves off the foot of the table as they beat Tonge by a comfortable margin of 75 runs at Castle Hill.

Cliff Collings had given the home side some hope as his 5-35 helped bowl Atherton out for 141, with Dan Ashton and Darren Stewart both making 33.

But they then found little answer to the visiting bowlers, led by 3-10 by Brad Eckersley, and found themselves shot out for just 66 in reply.

Little Hulton were another side to enjoy a comfortable win as they defeated their visitors Eagley by 66 runs at the Old Vicarage to move up to fourth.

Ashley Perry, with an impressive 88, provided the backbone of a rapid 163-4 in their reduced overs with Rory McIntyre adding a handy 40.

Craig Faulkner made 26 in reply but nobody else got going as Muhammed Atique took 3-33 and Eagley were restricted to 97-9 in reply.

The final game of the day saw bottom club Daisy Hill concede their game to Walkden.