WALKDEN are home and dry in the Premiership title race. That is the view of Andy Cumberbatch, Farnworth Social Circle’s cricket manager, whose side lie third but with it all to do despite winning four of their last five matches.

Social Circle eased to a 125-run away win over Kearsley on Saturday, which Cumberbatch described as a “team performance”.

Walkden lead the way by 15 points from Horwich in second with seven games remaining. Social Circle are three further back in third.

“Walkden are up there a decent way in front, and I think we’re all vying for second,” said Cumberbatch.

“It’s going to be a heck of an ask to catch Walkden. They’ve got to lose three out of seven and us win three with bonus points just to get over them.

“We spoke on Saturday about trying to win every game, and if there’s any slip-ups between now and the end of the season we can see where we are. It is early, but Saturday’s result has gone a long way to sealing a Lancashire Knockout spot.

“I’m working on the top four qualifying, although I’m not 100-per-cent sure given the restructuring around the leagues.”

Social Circle elected to bat and posted 254-9, recovering from 24-2.

Chris Barrow was promoted to four and top-scored with a typically lusty 68 off 54 balls and later took three wickets with his spin. Professional Ijaz Butt made 42 and Nathan Rushton 48 down the order.

In reply, Richard Dempster, who has relinquished the captaincy to David Tonge, claimed two wickets with the new ball, while Barrow and Tonge claimed three apiece as Kearsley could only muster 129.

They were very impressive in the field, taking six catches, a stumping and a run out for Joe Baldwin, who Cumberbatch says leads an electric fielding unit.

He added: “This was a big hurdle to get over, Kearsley away, because they’re a good side.

“We’ve lost Will Shuttleworth for the time being. Unfortunately he was in a car accident at the start of the week and has whiplash. It could have been a lot worse.

“We floated a few ideas around and promoted Chris to four. He’s come up good like he always does. He was the standout performer with three wickets and 60-odd, but a lot of others have chipped in.

“Matthew Knight has come in from the seconds, was thrown in at the deep end and has scored 30 down the order.

“With Will out, we had a bit of bowling to find as well, and to my horror Dave Tonge’s taken his sun hat off and decided to whirl his arm over. But he’s clean bowled their pro (Imran Khalid). Shows what I know! He just bowls wicket to wicket medium pacers.

“I said previously I’d be surprised if anyone in the league is a better fielding unit than us. Well, I reviewed that last weekend because Lostock were superb in the field in the 20-over semi-final. It’s either them or us.”