DARWEN'S poor start to the Northern League season continued as they were beaten by two wickets at Lancaster in a low scoring game.

The Towers were put into bat at Lune Road and soon found themselves in trouble as openers John Painter and David Bowden fell cheaply.

John Cordingley hung around for 23 and was given some support from Mark Friend (11) and Shrikant Wagh (17) but those three were the only visiting batsman to pass double figures in a total of 93.

In reply the home side's Charlie Swarbrick proved to be Darwen's undoing as he made 40 in Lancaster's successful chase.

The Towers made a game of it though with Cordingley (4-20) and Chris Wade (3-13) picking up regular wickets.

But it proved in vain as the hosts got home with two wickets to spare.

Chorley also tasted defeat as they lost by four wickets at Netherfield.

The visitors batted first and got off to a good start with Stuart Naden making 49 at the top of the order and skipper Ian Dickinson adding 35.

But the middle order failed and it took 14 from Edwin Milton and 18 not out from number 11 James Lee to see Chorley up to 149 all out.

Moulton was then the pick of the bowlers as he took 2-40 and at one stage Chorley threatened to spring a surprise with the hosts 76-4. But an unbeaten half century from Tom Bruce eventually saw Netherfield over the line.