A SUPERB all round performance helped Darwen beat Ormskirk to reach the final of the Lancashire Knockout.

The Towers travelled to the Liverpool Competition heavyweights, who shared the title with Lowerhouse after a wash out last year, as slight underdogs but returned victorious to secure a place in next month's showpiece.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat. They lost opener Ammer Mirza first ball but professional Calvin Savage made a vital 62 off 73 balls to help Darwen reach 181-7 off 33 overs in a match reduced by rain.

Savage was given lower order support by Kamran Anwar's 46 not out which came off just 20 balls and included six sixes.

In reply, Ormskirk lost wickets at regular intervals and subsided to 133 all out inside 30 overs.

The wickets were shared out with David Bowden the pick as he claimed 3-18 off five overs while Chris Wade also picked up three wickets while Anwar claimed two.

The final takes place on Sunday, September 2 at Ormskirk with Darwen facing either Northern or Clifton.