Unsworth made it four wins on the bounce when they beat close rivals and hosts Cromption with 20 overs to spare.

The Pole Lane men have moved up to third in the Central Lancashire League Championship table after a run which has seen them undefeated in seven matches, taking maximum points from their last four outings. Hosts Crompton, who were fourth going into the weekend, chose to bat first, and home-grown Unsworth player Jack O’Brien ripped through the top order in a 13-over opening spell, taking 5- 38.

The wickets included Crompton’s professional and overseas amateur in quick succession. He was given good support by professional Chris Williams who ended up with 2-56, taking his season tally to 90.

Liam Richards, Jenaghir Mohammad and Alex Taylor also picked up a wicket each, as Crompton staged a mini recovery from 70-6 to 142 all out.

In reply, openers Chris Long (48) and Jon Wiggans (39) put on 80 for the first wicket in 15 overs to all but seal victory. Professional Chris Williams scored a brisk 37 not out at the end, as he and captain Steve Judge saw the side home with 22 overs to spare.

The win leaves Unsworth in third place, eight points ahead of rivals Crompton in fourth with two games to go.

Although, promotion is out of their reach, the signs look positive for next season. Williams, who has also scored more than 800 runs, has already re-signed for 2014.