MATT Parkinson’s brilliant bowling ensured Farnworth Social Circle returned to winning ways with a three-wicket victory over Little Lever on Saturday.

After suffering a disappointing defeat to Kearsley last weekend, the captain came into this game all guns blazing – taking seven wickets for 43 runs inside 10 overs.

The Piggott Park outfit were put in to bat first and professional Rameez Alam set the pace striking 63 – including eight fours and a six – and Chris Barrow notched 43 not out as last year’s champions posted 173-7.

Mohammed Adnan did his best to keep the score down taking 5-109.

And when Little Lever took to the crease they looked steady – Zain Abbas opening with 70.

But Parkinson soon took charge of the bowling and tore through the batting line up to leave Little Lever still searching for their first win of the season.

Elsewhere, Imran Mirza’s century for Heaton pushed a thrilling game against Horwich right to the wire.

Mirza led the way with the bat smashing 105 runs and Matt Fray added 30 as Heaton set a solid 216-7 – Amjid Khan taking 4-116 and Babar Naeem bowling 3-79.

Captain David Morris launched the Horwich response hitting 34, with Derek White notching 41. Humayun Farhat attempted to stop the comeback taking 4-75.

But with time running out Ryan Chaisty entered the frame and smashed 37 runs off 25 balls to get Horwich over the line and record a four-wicket victory – albeit in the final over.

Westhoughton saw off the challenge of Bradshaw in emphatic style at St George’s Oval.

Tom Liversedge (42) and Stuart Hornby (24) got Bradshaw off to a flying start as they opened with a partnership of 51. But Qaiser Abbas (4-42) and Danny Higham (3-28) had other ideas as they dismissed the visitors for 133.

Abbas then hit 41 runs which, along with 40 penalty points was enough to set a score of 137-5, Steve Foster taking 2-26.

Adam Street was the catalyst for Egerton’s victory over Walkden taking four wickets for 32 runs as Walkden hit 131 all out – Johnathan Fowler top scoring with 35.

Opening duo Will Halton (45) and Ben Pratt (60 not out) built a formidable partnership at the crease as they cruised to an eight-wicket victory.

Tonge slipped to a four-wicket defeat at Farnworth.

Zohaib Mirza scored 31 runs as bowling took centre stage with Melbourne Austin (3-14), Kamran Sajid (3-30) and Kurtis Anderson (3-20) bowling them all out for 101.

Chris Baxendale top scored with 39 on a day where runs were evenly spread.

Professional Mansoor Ahmed took 3-43 and David Bath bowled 3-60 but Farnworth’s resilience paid off as they finished on 103-6.

Rain restricted Kearsley’s encounter with Greenmount to just 33 overs – which proved more than enough for both sides as the bowlers enjoyed a fruitful day at the office as Greenmount won by 15 runs.

Mohammed Jameel was the star of the show as he took 6-30 in only 14 overs – including two maidens.

Saeed Anwar Jnr took the remaining four wickets for 39 as Greenmount posted 100 all out – Phil Heaton top-scoring with 20.

But Kearsley, who were without the likes of Chris Senn, Jack Scott, Jack Horrocks and the suspended Darren Whittle, were skittled out for 85 thanks to impressive bowling from Phil Ingham (4-45) and Mark Stewart (4-37).

Astley Bridge recorded a narrow win at Eagley by two wickets.

Saif Bhojani was the only notable batter with 30 runs as the hosts crashed out for 160 – David Cryer taking 3-38 and Syd De Silva 3-43.

Amal Athulathmudali began the Bridge assault as he hit 49 off 38 balls and De Silva claimed 32 as the visitors looked comfortable at 147-5.

But Awais Zia attempted to halt the charge, bowling 4-47 to set up a tight finish, which ended with Bridge on 162-8.