DARWEN remain clear of the chasing pack in the Northern Premier League thanks to a sparkling 85 run victory over Lancaster on Saturday.

Darwen were asked to bat and the top four batsmen all contributed to ensure they were able to post a total of 209 for the loss of only six wickets.

Jackson and Hadfield got the team off to the best possible start, posting 82, before Hadfield fell for 26, he was followed by Jackson, who continued his rich vain of form, before he became Simm's second victim with his score on 64.

Semple and Gareth Cordingley then took the score on briskly to 146 when Semple was trapped lbw for 37. Cordingley became Simm's fourth and final victim when he was dismissed for 39 with the total on 187, it was left to the Darwen tail to take the score to 209 from the allotted 57 overs.

Lancaster's reply was soon reeling on 13 for four as Mercer and Semple ripped out the top order taking two wickets each.

Parkinson then dropped anchor with Heatherington as the pair took the score to 86 without further loss.

Darwen professional Semple returned to the attack to have Heatherington snapped up by John Cordingley for 38.

Semple then took the next three wickets before Mercer cleaned up the innings with two wickets from the first three balls of his last over as Lancaster finished on 124.