WALTON High School is celebrating the success of three of its Cricket teams who all reached the quarter final stages of the Lancashire Schools Cricket Competition.

The year seven, eight and nine teams put the school on the map following a series of impressive performances against teams from across the county.

And while all three fell at the quarter finals stages, the school had every reason to be proud of the teams.

The Year Seven team progressed to the last eight following a nail-biting victory over Southlands School from Chorley before out-classing Leigh school, St Mary's.

Against Southlands, the Chorley school amassed an impressive total of 73 for eight with Asif 'Beany' Razal the pick of the Walton bowlers, taking three for two off four overs.

In reply, Walton needed three runs off the last ball and Waqas Ahmed hooked the ball for four to clinch a memorable victory.

In contrast, victory against St Mary's was more straight forward as they were bowled out for 39 -- with Umar Rafiq taking three wickets and Zairne Aslam two -- before reaching their target after just four overs.

Walton's Year Eight side put in a superb all-round display to get their cup run under way with a fine victory over Parklands from Chorley.

Waqas Tahir scored a quick-fire 48 with Munir Ahmed contributing 45 as Walton set a target of 132. The bowlers then did their job as Tahir taking a wicket in the second ball while Aqeel Ahmed claimed a fine hat-trick to help clinch victory.

Waqas Tahir was the hero of the third round victory over Hutton Grammar School with a match-winning 109 after Imtiaz, Munir and Aqeel all lost their wickets cheaply.

The Year Nine's march to the quarter finals started with a comfortable home win over St Bede's from Lytham with Mohammed Waqas the pick of the players with an unbeaten 32.

Waqas then showed his bowling ability in round two, taking three wickets as Beardwood School from Blackburn reached 105.

He then did the business with the bat, hitting two sixes off his first two balls, on his way to a swash-buckling 46. Haroon Ishraq (10), Munir Ahmed (12no) and Junaid Munir (20no) all played supporting roles.

The round three victory over Bishop Rawstorne was all down to the bowlers as Walton were bowled out for 70. Zafar Zamir was the pick, claiming four wickets for just nine runs.

In round four against Parklands, the Chorley school were bowled out for a modest 58 but it proved to be a tough target to reach.

Mohammed Waqas and Junaid Munir surrended their wickets cheaply, Haroon Ishaq, Waqas Tahir and Zafir Zamir all contributed to set up a tense final over.

Needing two runs to win, Parklands bowled a wide leaving Moien Mahmood to hit the winning run.

Paul Smith, head of the PE, said: "All three teams got knocked out at the quarter finals but nevertheless, I am very proud of the effort the boys have put in."