CHORLEY maintained their excellent run of form in the Northern Premier League as they claimed the lion’s share of the points and plaudits from a draw at reigning champions Leyland.
The locals dominated in tough conditions at Fox Lane on a rain-affected day.
It seemed as though Chorley would be frustrated in their derby with Leyland as the rain caused a long delay.
But after a mopping-up operation, play started at 4.15pm and Chorley were put in to bat in what was now as 25-over game.
They lost Jack Catterall early and then both Andrew Holdsworth and Michael Critchley perished to run outs to leave them in a precarious position.
However, Will Moulton made a quite marvellous 64 and Stuart Naden made 21 to push Chorley along.
Moulton’s knock was outstanding as he faced just 52 balls and plundered four fours and five sixes - and the duo, the only batsmen to reach double figures, helped Chorley post 129 all out from the final ball of their 25 overs.
Luis Reece and Adam Coates fell early as Leyland replied and in the face of tight bowling from Chorley, their innings never got going.
Professional Brett Pelser made 22 before becoming one of two Ian Critchley victims, while Chris Parkinson hit 29 - but the reigning champions were facing a losing battle as professional Gaurav Dhar bowled with style.
He returned the frugal figures of 3-12 from six overs - and Leyland closed on 100-8.
Chorley
J Catterall st Coates b Pelser 5
A Holdsworth run out 8
M Critchley run out 6
W Moulton ct Coates b Cummings 64
S Naden ct Makinson b Rounding 21
I Critchley run out 7
Dhar b Rounding 7
A Weetman ct Reece b Rounding 0
K McCullagh Not Out 0
J Bentham run out 1
B Smith b Rounding 0
Extras 10
Total (all out, 25 overs) 129.
A Makinson 7 0 2 0, Pelser 7 2 26 1, T Afsar 2 0 15 0, P Cummings 5 0 32 1, J Rounding 4 0 20 4.
Leyland
L Reece ct Holdsworth b Smith 5
D Fisher ct Naden b McCullagh 12
A Coates b McCullagh 3
Pelser ct McCullagh b Critchley 22
C Parkinson st Holdsworth b Dhar 29
K Cross ct and b Dhar 9
J Rounding ct Naden b Critchley 7
A Makinson LBW Dhar 6
W Royle Not Out 2
Extras 5
Total (8 wickets, 25 overs) 100.
K McCullagh 7 0 31 2, B Smith 6 1 22 1, I Critchley 6 0 31 2, Dhar 6 1 12 3.
Winning draw to Chorley.
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