DEPTH in squad is the key to Greenmount's success so far this season, believes captain Andy Kerr.

The injured skipper watched from the sidelines as the league leaders chased down targets of more than 200 runs to claim wins against lowly Heaton and Bradshaw in the Hamer Cup last weekend.

And with bowler Mark Stewart needing just nine more wickets to break the all-time Bolton League record following his 10-wicket haul last week, things could not be better for the table toppers as they head into the second half of the season at home to Horwich on Saturday.

"To chase over 200 on both days shows the kind of the depth that the team has got," said Kerr.

"We know players can step up and that's what you need in a team that's chasing the league. That's what will win you trophies.

"Travis Townsend did it against Bradshaw while Phil Ingram and Andrew Bowker led from the front against Heaton. And Stewart was pivotal again for us.

"I'm sure he will get the bowling record in the next couple of games and there will be many at the club chuffed for him when he does.

"He's a one-man club and his wicket taking over the years has helped us claim wins and trophies so the record will be a credit to him.

"We didn't start the season too well at Horwich but on home soil, and on the run we have had recently and the confidence in the team I'm sure we'll come out on top."

Greenmount stalwart Stewart bowled his 48th wicket of the season as he tore through the Heaton batting line-up during his six-wicket haul.

Imran Mirza struck 70 and Haroon Farhat scored 73 as second-bottom Heaton were eyeing up a shock victory as they set a target of 238-8.

But Greenmount captain Phil Ingram had other ideas and he led the reply with the bat smashing 134no en route to building an opening partnership of 198 with Andrew Bowker (64). Travis Townsend came to the crease in third chipping in with 15 as the league-leaders achieved their target to the loss of only one wicket inside 34 overs.

Greenmount will travel to Farnworth Social Circle in the semi-finals of the Hamer Cup after clinching a hard-fought victory against Bradshaw.

Daniel Keegan was the hero for the Brandlesholme Road outfit as they were taken right to the wire by Bradshaw.

Tom Liversedge (77) and Stuart Hornby (26) opened the batting for the Rigbys outfit and Younis Anwar (58) and Kamran Younis (47) scored high at third and fourth respectively.

Mark Stewart (4-44), Phil Heaton (2-86) and Phil Ingram (2-39) made sure the middle order batsmen stayed relatively quiet as the overs expired with Bradshaw posting 274-9.

Travis Townsend, pushed up from number four batsman to three, launched the reply hitting 79, and a couple of good partnerships with the returning Ryan Senior (59) and Andrew Bowker (45) built up the total.

Phil Heaton then chipped in with 33 as the bowling attack of Phil Dickinson (3-69) and Younis (3-117) cranked up the pressure.

But with two ball remaining and six wickets down Greenmount were looking for an unlikely hero to step up – and Keegan (12no) duly obliged striking the winning runs with one ball to spare.