SUPERB Darwen bounced back from their low ebb to pile on the pain for all-at-sea Northern League champions St Annes on Saturday as professional Shaun De Kock turned in a sterling display to lead his men to a fine win at Vernon Road.

The South African claimed six wickets and then top scored with 35 as the locals were forced to battle for their much-needed 12-point win, a victory that came a week after they were crushed by Kendal.

St Annes won the toss and chose to bat and the middle order held up the locals after Matthew Taaffe, Nathan Bolus, Pete Cummings and Kushan Mirando had departed cheaply.

Neil Bradley joined opener and former Pakistan Test man Atiq uz-Zaman at the crease and the pair held up the locals. Bradley made 15 in support to the classy uz-Zaman who scored a quite marvellous 102 from 111 balls with 13 fours and one six.

But three balls after reaching his milestone, uz-Zaman was caught by John Cordingley off De Kock and St Annes were losing momentum.

Duncan Whalley then made 23 but the home side were all out for 181 in the 48th over with De Kock claiming 6-67. Niall Burke claimed two wickets and there was a first for Darwen for Tim Le Breton.

Burke (28) and Alex Davies (33) gave the Towers a good start and there were solid displays from the middle order without anyone actually going on to make a big score.

De Kock’s 35 was the top mark and when he went Daniel Fradd (13) and Neil Cordingley (25) took Darwen to the brink before Le Breton hit the winning runs in the final over.

Chorey were well beaten by high flying Barrow as they went down at the Ernest Pass Memorial Ground.

Iain Critchley claimed five wickets for the locals as Barrow were bowled out for 198 in the 50th over with Jon Miles top scoring with 72 and Liam Livingstone making 37.

Pro Gaurav Dhar and Michael Mead each claimed two wickets in support of Critchley and then Dhar made 32 as Chorley replied.

But their batting was below par again as they were 121 all out – and they wouldn’t have reached that total had it not been for skipper Andy Holdsworth, who top scored with 36 batting at number nine.

Elsewhere leaders Fleetwood stayed at the summit as they brushed aside the threat of Kendal at Broadwater.

Adam Parker claimed 5-29 as Kendal were shot out for 117. Parker then made an unbeaten 74 as Fleetwood coasted to a win inside of 28 overs.

Morecambe hammered Carnforth in the day’s quickest game, strolling to a win after bowling the visitors out for 78 at Woodhill Lane, while Luis Reece scored a brilliant ton as Leyland were frustrated by Blackpool.

Netherfield were on the wrong end of a shock as they were beaten by Preston, failing to chase down 168 at West Cliffe.