Darwen are within a whisker of qualifying for the Northern League’s Jamie Heywood Twenty20 after their latest win, their fifth in as many games, at Chorley.

Opener and wicketkeeper Alex Davies hit a high class 59 from 38 balls as Darwen posted 149-7 from their 20 overs with Neil Cordingley chipping in with 28.

Chorley professional Gaurav Dhar claimed 3-24 and Ian Oakes grabbed 3-27 but their efforts merely delayed the inevitable as Chorley laboured to 89.

After Neil Cordingley’s hostile opening spell of 1-9 off four overs, spinner Chris Clarke weighed in with 3-10 including a wicket maiden – and the in-form Davies stumped both Adam Peacock and Dhar.

South One
Team Played Points
Blackpool 3 6
Fleetwood 3 2
St Annes 2 0.

South Two
Team Played Points
Darwen 5 10
Leyland 3 4
Chorley 4 2
Preston 4 0.

North One
Team Played Points
Kendal 1 2
Netherfield 0 0
Barrow 1 0.

North Two
Team Played Points
Morecambe 1 2
Carnforth 2 2
Lancaster 3 2.