THE difference in class between the Premier Division of the Liverpool Competition and The Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League was cruelly exposed at Church Road on Sunday (April 29) in the first round of the National Knock-Out Cup.

Darwen were Lytham's visitors and, after scoring a modest 169-6 thanks to some reasonably tight bowling by all five Lytham bowlers, won convincingly by 83 runs as Lytham were bowled out for only 86.

Lee Hilton was the only batsman to reach double figures for the home side.

On the other hand Darwen's innings was built round four scores of 30 or more.

Opener Simon Painter made 30 before being run out and Gareth Cordingly had also made 30 when he holed out to Hilton off Wisniewski. Chris Lowe top scored with 39 before Hilton bowled him and then skipper Jeff Hacking came in late to hit a rapid 35 not out to leave Darwen on 169-6 at the close of their 45 overs.

Dan Thompson's 2-34 was the best bowling return.

Lytham's reply never really got going.

Both openers were back in the pavilion with only nine runs on the board and four wickets were down by the time the total had reached 47.

And that total signalled the end of Lytham's challenge as Hilton, 20, was caught at mid-on to be followed back into the pavilion without addition to the total by Fielding and professional Chris Sainsbury.

There was no way back and only a spirited partnership of 18 for the ninth wicket by Long and Cope helped Lytham limp to 86 all out with three wickets each falling to Andrew Mercer and Neil Cordingly.

Darwen now visit Blackpool, conquerors of Millom, for their next round tie.