FARNWORTH brushed aside arch-rivals Social Circle by 70 runs on Saturday to strengthen their grip on second place in the Premiership.

Captain Simon Booth admitted “we owed them one” after Social had claimed T20 and league victories in the space of a week in mid June.

But Booth’s side added to an early-season Peter Stafford Trophy win with their success at Piggott Park.

New-ball seamer Tufail Ahmad starred with 7-58 from 13 overs to back up an imposing batting display, with each of their top four contributing significantly to 294-8.

Opener Jon Kerrigan hit 60 alongside Ross Sutton (47), with the pair sharing 89 for the first wicket. Kerrigan then added 92 for the second wicket with Imran Mirza (56).

Sri Lanka sub professional Janith Liyanage, currently playing at Accrington, top-scored with 66 off 61 balls, including three sixes. He was last out in the 50th over.

In reply, Social Circle recovered from 69-5, with medium-fast seamer Ahmad claiming all five, to post 224 all out. Richard Dempster impressed for 71 not out.

It means Farnworth are now two points clear of Horwich in the race for second place and qualification for the second round of next season’s Lancashire Knockout.

Farnworth welcome champions Walkden in Saturday’s final round, while Horwich host Social Circle.

“Funnily enough, Janith is sub pro-ing for Social on Saturday, so he can do me a massive favour,” said Booth. “And hopefully Walkden won’t be bothered and we can win that. They annihilated us last time we played them, so we owe them one as well.

“But we’ve played nicely over the last few weeks and just seem to have hit form at the right time.

“It’s always good to beat Social Circle. Local derby and all that.

“But the relationship is very good between the two clubs.

“I obviously had some bad news with my old man, and they’ve been great. We’ve all played with and against each other ever since juniors. Chris Barrow is a very close friend of mine.

“But on game day, it’s always a bit feisty.

“We won the toss, batted first and got 295. The wicket wasn’t that good, but we had a good start.

“Ross Sutton batted well, as did Jonny Kerrigan, who played the anchor role. Our sub pro batted nicely, and Mirza’s batted really well too. We’ve had a good day with the bat. Our bowling wasn’t great, I have to admit. But we got there in the end.”

Ahmad has only played seven games this season, owed much to a dislocated shoulder in a clash with Lostock in May.

“He’s made out of plasticine, unfortunately. He’s always injured,” added Booth.

“He’s been in and around the club for the last two years, but hasn’t played a great deal. On Saturday, he blew their top five to pieces and was superb.

“Chris Barrow batted well and got 36, and Richard Dempster did too for his 70-odd. But he was never going to win it. They were so far behind.”

Meanwhile, Ahmad will be available for Sunday’s Hamer Cup final, having reached the six games needed to be eligible last weekend.