Key Points
- Walkden Dominance: The partnership of 174 runs between Aaqib Javid (90) and Salman Younis (74) helped Walkden seconds post a score of 328-7, followed by Mehr Khan’s 4-28, which helped in restricting Ribblesdale Wanderers to 133, thereby helping Walkden stay on top of the Premier Division with 175 points.
- Ribblesdale Struggling: Ribblesdale Wanderers are still struggling in the relegation position, as they have just 83 points now.
- Barrowford Lose Their Place: Barrowford’s first team (162 points) lost to Foulridge’s last pair, who scored 29 runs in pursuit of 181 runs, as I Karim hit 67 for Barrowford, and U Farooq took 4-15 for Foulridge.
- Cherry Tree’s Victory: Cherry Tree, which was bottom of the table, got themselves an important four-wicket victory over Burnley Belvedere, when Alex Fenwick gave an excellent performance of 6-38 to bowl out Belvedere for 95.
- Farnworth Win Over Farnworth Social Circle: Farnworth (84 points) won against Farnworth Social Circle with 23 runs thanks to Shujat Ali’s 50-plus in their score of 197.
- Little Lever Chase Down Target: Little Lever won by three wickets despite 50-plus scores by Harvey Vause and Matthew Ainsworth in Salesbury’s 213-6 through Leon Tennant’s 50.
- Padiham Win Both the Matches: Padiham just about managed to edge Astley Bridge by four runs before beating Barnoldswick, as Jordy Higham impressed with 70 runs and 4-13.
- Atherton & Feniscowles Impress: C Gredecki’s unbeaten 71 helped Atherton to defeat Lostock, while Marc Brennan’s 4-28 helped in dismissing Blackrod for 50, thereby giving Feniscowles a 10 wicket victory.
- OI Fly High: N Aslam scored 75 and took 6-18 as Oswaldtwistle Immanuel scored 248-7 and dismissed Feniscowles for 118, thereby remaining second in the table with 179 points.
- Future Cup & Finals Matches: The Under-18s Finals Day will be held at Farnworth Social Circle, while Birchall Cup T20 finals will be played on Bank Holiday Monday at Salesbury.
Bolton (Bolton Today) August 29, 2026 - Walkden’s second XI continued their formidable campaign in the North West Cricket League Conference Division with an authoritative victory, bolstered by a colossal double-act at the crease and a ruthless bowling display.
As reported by Ray Taylor of The Bolton News, Walkden posted a commanding total of 328-7 during last weekend's action, powered primarily by a brilliant 174-run stand between Aaqib Javid, who stroked 90, and Salman Younis, who contributed 74. In reply, Mehr Khan proved devastating with the ball, claiming 4-28 to dismantle Ribblesdale Wanderers for just 133. The resounding victory leaves Walkden seconds comfortably atop the Premier Division table with 175 points, while Ribblesdale Wanderers remain trapped in the relegation zone on 83 points.
How Did the Title Chasers and Relegation Contenders Fare Across the Division?
The action across the North West Cricket League produced high drama, dramatic close finishes, and crucial shifts in the standings at both ends of the table.
What happened in Barrowford’s thriller against Foulridge?
Barrowford’s first team suffered a blow to their title chase, losing vital ground on league leaders Walkden after falling to a nail-biting defeat against Foulridge.
As detailed by Ray Taylor of The Bolton News, Barrowford posted 181, largely thanks to I Karim, who compiled a fine 67 to recover his side from an earlier position of 144-4. Foulridge’s U Farooq had broken through the middle order with figures of 4-15. In a tense run-chase, Foulridge’s final batting pair held their nerve to add 29 crucial runs for the last wicket, securing a dramatic victory. Barrowford’s first team now sit on 162 points.
How did bottom-placed Cherry Tree secure a vital victory?
At the foot of the table, Cherry Tree injected fresh life into their survival hopes by claiming a impressive four-wicket win against Burnley Belvedere.
According to reporting by Ray Taylor of The Bolton News, Alex Fenwick delivered the standout bowling performance of the fixture, ripping through the Burnley Belvedere batting lineup to take 6-38. Belvedere were skittled out for just 95 runs, allowing Cherry Tree to chase down the target for the loss of six wickets. The victory moves Cherry Tree to 75 points. Elsewhere in the lower reaches, Farnworth moved to 84 points—having played one game more—following a 23-run victory over Farnworth Social Circle, where Shujat Ali scored a key half-century in Farnworth’s total of 197.
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What Were the Standout Performances in the Middle-Table Clashes?
Several fixtures featured individual masterclasses, high-scoring run chases, and dominant bowling efforts across the league's second division.
How did Little Lever pull off the chase against Salesbury?
Salesbury set a formidable target after batting first, but Little Lever produced a clinical run chase to claim all the points.
As documented by Ray Taylor of The Bolton News, Salesbury registered 213-6 on the back of half-centuries from both Harvey Vause and Matthew Ainsworth. However, Little Lever met the challenge head-on, anchored by Leon Tennant’s half-century, to seal a thrilling three-wicket victory.
Which teams are pushing for promotion from the Second Division?
The battle for promotion from the Second Division remains exceptionally tight, with Feniscowles, Padiham, and Atherton all firmly in contention.
Ray Taylor of The Bolton News highlighted several remarkable weekend outcomes:
- Padiham’s Twin Wins: Padiham endured a tense match against Astley Bridge on Saturday, holding on to win by just four runs after Astley Bridge collapsed from 128-5 while chasing 146. On Sunday, Padiham secured a far more comfortable victory against Barnoldswick. Jordy Higham led the recovery from 24-3 to push Padiham to 237-9 before taking 4-13 to bowl Barnoldswick out for 114. Barnoldswick remain bottom of the table on 62 points from 18 games, just behind Eagley on 78 points from 18 matches.
- Atherton’s Chase: Lostock posted 182 thanks to A Berriman’s 54, despite S Fearick taking 4-28. In response, C Gredecki scored an unbeaten 71 to guide Atherton safely to victory.
- Feniscowles’ Blowout: Marc Brennan tore through Blackrod with 4-28, dismissing them for a paltry 50 runs. Feniscowles knocked off the target without losing a single wicket. Blackrod sit on 81 points from 17 games, one behind Brinscall (82 points), who beat Baxenden by five wickets after S Shah’s 5-27 routed Baxenden for 119.
- Oswaldtwistle Immanuel’s Dominance: N Aslam delivered an extraordinary all-round performance, scoring 75 in Oswaldtwistle’s 248-7 before taking 6-18 with the ball to bowl Feniscowles out for 118. OI hold second spot with 179 points from 17 games, ahead of Kearsley (149 from 18), Barrowford (145 from 19), and Earby (142 from 18).
- Burnley Belvedere vs Barrowford: Burnley Belvedere hit 220, anchored by M Khan’s 94 following an early collapse to 15-3. Barrowford’s H Ul Wahab took 5-41, but Barrowford were subsequently bowled out for 73 as U Sadat claimed 6-27.
- Tonge vs Barrowford Seconds: Syed Shah took 5-48 in Barrowford seconds’ 159, but Tonge were bowled out for 87 after A Mannan took 4-21.
- Chatburn vs Earby: Chatburn recovered from 6-3 to reach 152 thanks to M Nerenberg’s 60 (D Harrison taking 4-36), but Earby completed a five-wicket victory.
What Upcoming Cup and Junior Matches Are Scheduled?
Local cricket fans have a feast of knockout and junior cricket to look forward to over the upcoming weekend and Bank Holiday period.
When is the Under-18s Finals Day taking place?
The region's top young talent will compete for silverware this Sunday at Farnworth Social Circle.
As outlined by Ray Taylor of The Bolton News, the Under-18s Finals Day schedule is as follows:
- 10:00 AM: Astley Bridge vs Deane and Derby
- 12:30 PM: Farnworth Social Circle vs Atherton
- Late Afternoon: Under-18s Grand Final
What is the schedule for the Birchall Cup T20 Finals?
Senior third teams will clash on Bank Holiday Monday at Salesbury for the prestigious Birchall Cup T20 trophy.
As reported by Ray Taylor of The Bolton News, the T20 tournament timings feature:
- 10:00 AM: Brinscall vs Earby
- 12:30 PM: Feniscowles vs Salesbury
- 4:00 PM (Approx): Birchall Cup T20 Final