THE Bolton League title race was thrown wide open on Saturday as Egerton and Farnworth both slipped to defeats and the chasing pack all picked up wins, writes Mikael McKenzie.

Bradshaw showcased their title credentials by knocking Egerton off top spot in a game that went right to the wire.

Egerton – who are now down to third place – opened the scoring with wicketkeeper Daniel Partington who struck 31. Professional Mahela Udawatte hit eight fours on his way to 74 and Adam Street – more known for his magic with the ball than the bat – also added 62 to post a total of 238-9.

Stuart Hornby was the only bowler of note taking 3-23 inside three overs.

The Rigbys outfit responded with captain Nick Lester who scored 72 and Kamran Younis added 78 to set up a tight finish.

After the 49th over the score stood at 232-7 – seven runs short of the target – but the umpire added five penalty points for a slow overrate meaning only two runs were needed in the final over, which were added by Elliot Dargan (20) while under increasing pressure from Amal Dalugoda (6-88) hunting his seventh victim.

Astley Bridge produced the shock of the day when they defeated Farnworth to remain in seventh place.

Rick Northrop top-scored with 47 and skipper Simon Entwistle knocked 38 as they totalled 243-8. Kamran Sajid was the only bowler of note posting figures of 3-47.

Adil Nisar – the third highest run-scorer in the league – launched the reply smashing 88 and captain Simon Booth added 39. But the bowling attack of David Cryer (4-89) and Amal Athulathmudali (5-43) had them seen off 23 runs short of the target – dropping Farnworth down to fourth place.

Greenmount returned to the top of the pile with a routine victory against Tonge.

The basement side – who are still yet to register a win this campaign – fell victim to a recurring problem that they just cannot score many runs.

This time out they had ninth-placed batsman Iain McLellan to thanks for keeping the score respectable as he top-scored with 24 to aid in them posting 144.

Veteran Mark Stewart was the pick of the bowlers taking 3-48.

Skipper Andrew Kerr led the reply scoring 69 not out in 74 balls, and Travis Townsend added 58 as Greenmount secured the win with seven wickets to spare.

Farnworth Social Circle are up to second after an emphatic victory away to Walkden.

Last year's champions are in a rich vein of form having lost only once in their last nine games, and they opened the batting with David Tonge who scored 76 and Andrew Lane added 61.

Chris Barrow chipped in with 54 as the Piggott Park outfit set their hosts a healthy target of 255-4.

Walkden could not father any sort of reply as Dave Mather's seven-wicket haul for 52 runs had them dismissed for 110.

Results

Astley Bridge 243-8, Farnworth 220. Astley Bridge won by 23 runs.

Bradshaw 239-8, Egerton 238-9. Bradshaw won by two wkts.

Eagley 139, Westhoughton 285-2. Westhoughton won by 146 runs.

Kearsley 246-7, Horwich 236-9. Kearsley won by 10 runs.

Little Lever 283-3, Heaton 165. Little Lever won by 118 runs.

Tonge 144, Greenmount 146-3. Greenmount won by seven wkts.

Walkden 110, Farnworth Social Circle 255-4. Farnworth Social Circle won by 145 runs.