WILL Moulton starred with the ball as Chorley piled on the pain for Preston and went a long way to getting over their own recent agony as they claimed a big Northern League win on Saturday.

Chorley’s season has stuttered since they were beaten by Shrewsbury in the ECB National Knockout earlier this month but they were determined to rediscover their form as they travelled to West Cliffe to face the league’s bottom side.

And they started well after Preston won the toss and chose to bat.

Billy Smith cleaned up Ben Harrison and Javaid Hussain cheaply and while Sajid Patel top scored with 41, Preston had no answer to splendid Chorley bowling.

Moulton was the star of that bowling display as he claimed 7-25 from nine overs as he ran through the lower order and ensured Preston were skittled for just 86.

Ian Dickinson was determined to make sure there would be no scares and he made 32 not out as Chorley cantered home by eight wickets with almost 25 overs to spare.

Darwen were left frustrated as a stunning thunderstorm brought a premature end to their game at Kendal.

Ammer Mirza’s 48 got Darwen off to a good start at Shap Road and there were other good contributions from Jordan Clarke (16), Chris Clarke (13) and John Cordingley (20) before professional Alan Kruger got down to work.

The South African made 63 from 72 balls before Darwen were bowled out for 192 in the final over.

Former Nelson professional Terry Hunte went into the match needing 97 to become the first man in the history of the Northern League to reach 20,000 runs and for a while he seemed set to achieve that mark as he looked in top nick.

But he became one of John Cordingley’s four victims before the heavens opened.

Kendal were on 145-5 with 10 overs left and all results were on the table. But by the time the rain eased the damage had been done and the Towers claimed the spoils from a winning draw.