DARWEN have moved up to third place in the Northern League after a routine victory over bottom of the table Preston.

Preston, batting first and without a win all season,were bowled all out for 106 with Darwen reaching their target in under 20 overs for the loss of just four wickets - Mark Friend top scoring with an unbeaten 42.

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Preston opener, Sajid Patel was the only one to put up any form of resistance as Jordan Clarke’s bowlers ripped through the visitors batting attack.

Niall Burke claim three of the top batting order, bowling Sarfarz Patel for two, trapping Yasin Boda lbw for the same scoreline before dismissing Mustaq Tailor for seven.

Patel was quickly running out of partners as Darwen professional Khaya Zondo dismissed Akmal Shah for 10 before David Bowden got in on the act - trapping Yasin Patel (10) and Afzal Kapadia (one).

Patel’s one man resistance was finally ended by Zondo as he was caught by Mark Friend for 65. The rest of the Preston batsmen went quietly, Usman Alam caught and bowled by Bowden for a duck while Ralph Cairns was run out for two.

Darwen did not get the best of starts as they chased Preston’s total as Scott Jackson was caught by Cairns off Shabnan Ali without scoring a run.

Opener Ammer Mirza made 12 before he was caught by Sajid Patel off Kapadia and Reece Davies went for a duck, caught by Yasin Patel off Kapadia.

But in between, Zondo dug in for 39 before he was caught by Sarfarz Patel off Andrew Starkie.

It was left to Friend (42no) and Bowden (16no) to guide Darwen home.

Chorley did not play.