Little Lever ran out winners of the North West Cricket League’s Anthony Axford Indoor Trophy competition on Sunday when they beat Farnworth Social Circle in a hard-fought final that went right to the last over.

The winning runs were hit with two balls to spare to seal victory for Josh Gent’s side.

Social Circle batted first and were struggling early on until Archie Walsh produced a last-man stand of 48 not out, taking his team to a total of 101-5.

This earned him the man-of-the-match award, as Lever’s Cameron Murray took 2-20 in his three overs.

In reply, Little Lever got off to a slower start than in theire other games thanks to some accurate bowling and good fielding.

However, a solid 28no from Gent and 25no from Murray edged them towards the winning total, ably supported by Jack Hamlett (18) and Preston Hayhurst (16) - both of whom were run out trying to force the score along.

Earlier in the day, in the semi-finals Social Circle played Eagley who batted first, scoring 76-6. Top scorers were James Richards, with 27, and Oliver Smith (18). Pick of the bowlers for Social Circle was Christian Walsh, with 2-14 off 2.2.overs.

In reply, Social Circle reached their target score in the final over, finishing on 77-3. Leading scorers were Max Perry, with 25no, Chris Lane (25) and David Tonge (20).

In the second semi-final, Little Lever played Blackrod and batted first.

They got off to a cracking start ,scoring 38 off the first two overs. They finally reached 150-4 thanks to 47no from Gent, 33 from Joe Capstick and 31 from Hayhurst. That total was too much or the young Blackrod side who were bowled out for 28.

Little Lever now play against Academy North at Essa Academy on February 23, at 3pm, with the winner going on to represent Lancashire at Derbyshire CC on March 16 (4.15pm).