GREENMOUNT lost vital ground in the Bolton League championship race after slumping to a losing draw at Farnworth Social Circle on Saturday.

With the weather claiming all but four of the league's fixtures tabletoppers Westhoughton took full advantage by picking up a ten wicket triumph over bottom club Little Lever, stretching their lead to 25 points.

But the village side only had themselves to blame in the rain-affected 26 over encounter.

The home side batted first and ran up a score of 92 for 9 with professional Nishit Shetty and Mark Stewart picking up three wickets apiece.

But it all looked comfortable for Greenmount when they went into the last two overs needing ten runs with three wickets in hand.

But a fine catch by wicketkeeper Christian Walsh to dismiss Nigel Franklin put the skids under the local side and they ended their innings on 84 for 9 and five runs short of what was required.

Walkden are now breathing down the necks of Greenmount and their victory over Farnworth puts them only seven points behind.

In the draw for the semi-finals of the Bolton League's Hamer Cup Greenmount have been drawn away at Heaton.

In the other semi Westhoughton face Farnworth.

The games are due to be played on Sunday, July 18.