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Darwen maintained their 14-point lead at the top of the Northern League with a crushing 99-run victory against Leyland at Fox Lane.

On a wicket of variable bounce, and despite an opening partnership of 51, a shock looked on the cards as Darwen slumped to 89-7. Darwen however were able to reach a reasonably respectable total of 156 mainly due to a splendid knock of 33 from Michael Douglas - justifying his recent promotion from the seconds and coming from only 42 balls.

The Birch Hall boys knew they would have to bowl well to secure victory and received an immediate boost with the second ball dismissal of Leyland pro Rimmer at the hands of his Darwen counterpart Richard Petrie who went on to return figures of 4-16. He had excellent support from his fellow bowlers including 3-10 from Gareth Cordingley as Leyland were skittled for only 57.

Chorley went down by 15 runs in a gripping finish to the match at Windsor Park. The result leaves St Annes still in close pursuit of leaders Darwen but has probably ended Chorley's slim chance of lifting the title.

South African professional Dave Callaghan top scored with 66 in St Annes' total of 170 for 8, Chorley professional Josh Marquet claiming 3-37 from 17 economical overs.

A mixture of ill luck and careless shots left Chorley in all sorts of trouble at 78 for 6 before Neil Senior, with a defiant 52, breathed new life into the match.

The Chorley tail then wagged sufficiently to spread alarm among the St Annes ranks.

Iqbal Patel cracked Callaghan for three successsive boundaries in an exhilarating partnership of 24 for the last wicket, before Rex Purnell was run out in the 18th of the final 20 overs as the pair boldly chased the runs.

Encouraging news for Darwen is that St Annes face the deduction of two points after being reported by the umpires for bowling insufficient overs prior to the final 20.