DARWEN produced a superb performance to see off Liverpool Competition heavyweights Bootle and reach the last eight of the Lancashire Knockout.

The Towers, who remain in the hunt for a treble of Lancashire League title, T20 success and county glory, overcame their visitors by seven runs at Birch Hall.

The hosts, who were 0-1 after one over, were bowled out for 160 before a strong bowling performance limited Bootle to 153 in reply.

John Cordingley took 4-37 for Darwen and Kamran Anwar 3-22 to restrict the Merseysiders.

Earlier, captain Mark Friend top scored for the home side with 45.

Darwen will play Rochdale in the last eight.

Chorley's run in the competition is over after they lost by 105 runs to Northern League rivals Leyland.

The visitors batted first at Windsor Park and racked up 235-8 from their 45 overs.

Chorley were always up against it and slumped to 76-6 in reply before eventually being bowled out for 130.

Meanwhile, Chorley have announced the re-signing of overseas amateur Wian van Zyl for the 2019 Northern League season.

Ben Pearson hit his debut first XI century for Todmorden in their Knockout clash with Liverpool Competition leaders Northern but it couldn't inspire a victory.

Pearson made 111 off 124 balls before falling as the home side posted 187-9 off 45 overs.

But the visitors, helped by Jack Boardman's 64 not out, reached their target with 11 balls and three wickets to spare.

The quarter finals are on Sunday, July 22, with the final, which this year is being held at Ormskirk, on Sunday, September 2.