Farnworth deposed of Little Lever at the top of the Conference Premier Division of the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League with an eight-run victory in the latest round of matches.

Bilal Khan, batting at eight, hit 71 to take Farnworth from 57-6 to 187-8. Little Lever were well placed at 114-2, however Zahid Butt’s 4-52 saw them dismissed for 179.

Also on 87 points from 10 matches are neighbours Farnworth Social Circle, Aadil Hussain taking 3-28 as they were dismissed for 124. The match was in the balance with Burnley Belvedere on 73-6, but Naqeeb Ali took 3-6 and Josh French 3-18 to leave them 92 all out.

The third team on equal points are Salesbury, Callum Grantham making 59 in their 186, Alex Fenwick 4-46. Sam Bristol did most of the damage to Cherry Tree’s batsmen with 7-39 out of 64 all out.

Shuja Rashid recorded a half-century in Barrowford’s 160, Bilal Patel 3-28. Astley Bridge recovered from 86-8 to reach 142 with Jahangir Babar taking 6-22.

In another close match, Sarath Babu provided the backbone of Foulridge’s 113, Graeme Kershaw 6-23. Ribblesdale Wanderers appeared to be coasting at 76-2, but then lost five wickets, with Shahbaz Munir taking 3-26, before recovering to win by three wickets.

Burney Belvedere replace Walkden at the summit of the second division, Abid Khan hitting 52 in their 200 all out. Umar Khan took 4-42 for Walkden before they were dismissed for 159, despite Aman Khan’s half-century, Nabeel Ur Rahman taking half the wickets at a cost of 38 runs.

Two points behind are Oswaldtwistle Immanuel for whom Paul Dignan provided 71 of their 156 runs, Chris Mulhearn 5-38. Babar Jameel (3-3) and Zameer Hussain (3-22) were the leading wicket-takers in Chatburn’s 70.

Also on 106 points are Barnoldswick, Chris Lemon and Nomi Akhtar with a century opening partnership setting them on their way to 217-6. Mohmedruhan struck 98 for Kearsley to add to his four victims, but 5-40 for Wasique Ali and 3-23 for Victor Sunhill saw them all out for 154.

Saeed Patel was leading scorer in Brinscall’s 236-9 with 63 runs, Grayson Aldred with 3-29. In Atherton’s 136 Sajan Muthanna had 3-14 and Dhanushka Lakshan 3-27.

There were three wickets apiece for Lewis Whitford and Henry Hindle in Barrowford seconds’ 75 all out, with Baxenden going on to win by six wickets.

Jason Lockley has the best all-round performance of the season to date, striking 169 as a century partnership with Jack Swarbrick helped Earby on their way to 274 having been 15-4, David Greenwood taking 4-71. He then took 5-9 as Foulridge were dismissed for 46.

There were two very close finishes, Lostock slipping from 150-5 to finish two short of Padiham’s 169-6. The two performances of note from Padiham players were Liam Simm’s half-century and Harry Starkie’s 3-26.

The remaining game ended in a tie, Will Hope’s 52 assisting Eagley in their 144-7, then Alfie Glynn took 3-21 as Feniscowles were bowled out for the same score.