Smith’s big knock settles the third Farnworth derby

Farnworth got the better of neighbours Farnworth Social Circle on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals of this year’s JD Consultancy Hamer Cup.

In the third match of the weekend between the two teams, Farnworth totalled 247-6, Liam Smith scoring 80 and adding 123 with Alex Rodzoch, who along with Simon Booth made half-centuries.

Farnworth Social Circle began well in their reply, reaching 86-1 with Chris Lane and Nathan Elliott reaching their 40s.

But Yasir Rashid took 3-12 and the innings ended on 188.

Elsewhere, Millan Patel and Alex Kok both recorded scores in the 40s as Astley Bridge reached 209 in their 40 overs.

Stuart Crabtree, with 46, helped Whalley to 80-3 but then the last seven wickets fell for just 12 runs, Kok taking three wickets for four runs.

Little Lever’s last pair added an invaluable 33 in their 135-9, Antonio Greenidge with 5-21.

Blackrod were well placed at 66-2, but 3-14 from Curtis Anderton led to them being dismissed after just reaching three figures.

Cherry Tree recovered from 22-4 to finish on 138, Stefan Breuninger taking 4-40.

Luke Hipgrave then steered Earby from 120-9 to 139-9, ensuring his side reached the quarter-finals courtesy of losing fewer wickets.

George Jackson was Lostock’s top scorer with 66 out of 173, but 56 runs apiece from Jack Wainman and Jack Richards, the latter’s from just 36 deliveries, led to a four-wicket win for Eagley.

Toby Burrows (3-6) helped Padiham dismiss Baxenden for 59, but then they had to recover from 11-4 to eventually win by five wickets.

Meanwhile, Justin Gilliland provided the best all-round performance of the day, hitting 81 in Tonge’s 194-6, then taking 4-28 as Salesbury fell 86 runs short of their target.

Quarter-final draw (to be played June 23): Astley Bridge v Tonge, Earby v Eagley, Little Lever v Farnworth, Read v Padiham.