CHORLEY’S dreams of Royal London ECB National Knockout glory were ended last night as Nottinghamshire Premier League big hitters Sandiacre Town broke their hearts at Windsor Park.

The locals, who have impressed in the competition all year, were dreaming of bringing back their mid-90s glory days with a place in the final at Bristol.

And after a solid bowling display there were right in the game having bowled Sandiacre out for 194.

However, Chorley lost an early wicket in their reply but when they reached 64-2 with 20 overs gone they were right in the hunt.

But from 95-3 the locals collapsed to 125-7 and were second favourites.

They did manage to get up to 159 all out but were some 35 runs short.

Darwen claimed a fine win over Leyland on Saturday as they kept their hopes alive of claiming second spot in the Chorley Building Society Northern League.

The clash of the day pitted Jordan Clarke’s third-placed men against Leyland, who are second, and the sides produced a thriller despite the weather.

Leyland batted first and Lancashire man Luis Reece and fellow opener Chris Parkinson started well before Reece was run out for 45.

And then John Cordingdley caught Parkinson off his own bowling for 65.

It was a day to remember for Cordingley, who shone with the ball to claim 5-59 from 17 overs as Leyland were restricted to 188-8 from their 50 overs.

Neil Cordingley was frugal, while professional George Linde picked up a couple of wickets with his spin.

Rain reduced the Darwen target to 157 but after Linde and Scott Jackson had fallen cheaply they were wobbling.

But Chris Clarke stepped up to the plate with the bat and with John Cordingley making 30 they got their noses in front.

However, there was still work to do when the latter fell but Jordan Clarke joined his brother Chris at the crease and they turned the game.

Chris finished unbeaten on 70 and Jordan was 30 not out as the Towers got home with plenty to spare and six wickets in hand.

Chorley were in a very good position to beat Netherfield at Windsor Park when their game was hit by the rain.

The locals were well set after Dave Fisher’s 82 plus 43 from Andy Holdsworth and 44 from Ian Dickinson helped them up to 187-5 from their 50 overs.

And they then flew out of the blocks with the ball as Chris Harty removed Ben Phillips for four and Keiran McCullagh had Netherfield skipper Marc Brown caught by Will Moulton for two.

McCullagh then removed Saliya Saman for a two-ball duck to leave the visitors rocking on 16-3 but the rain came down after 12.3 overs to end the game.