RAIN had the final say on the Northern Premier League season on Saturday as none of the First Division games were completed and all sides took four points, writes Gerry Wolstenholme.

The only consolation was that Fleetwood, who had gone into the final game with a variety of permutations for them to win the title for the first time since 1985, took four points along with Netherfield and that left them atop the table and collecting the trophy from League secretary John Cooper at about 5-15pm on a damp and cold afternoon at Darwen's Birch Hall.

They had been put in to bat by the home skipper Chris Lowe and they had then collapsed to 64-5 before a sterling partnership by Andrew Clough and Wayne Clarke pulled them out of the wood and they were able to reach the comparative safety of 187-6 from their 57 overs. But it all proved to be academic as Darwen had advanced to 35-0 from 9.2 overs when the rains came and the match was subsequently abandoned.

Although the day belonged to Fleetwood there was some comfort for 13-year-old Darwen wicketkeeper Jordan Clarke who took three catches on his debut and performed well throughout. He is undoubtedly a prospect for the future.

He started by taking a thin edge from Adam Sharrocks who had made five out of the 12 runs on the board and then he made it 20-2 when he caught John Whalley, 11, when the batsman failed to get in line with a delivery from Jeff Hacking.

Doug Marillier, 12, then pulled a ball from Andrew Mercer onto his stumps and it was 35-3 and when Gareth Cordingley caught Rob Clark in the gully for five it was 42-4.

Clarke took his third catch when he dismissed Michael Clinning for 22 and Fleetwood were in trouble at 64-5. But Andrew Clough, 46 from 111 balls with six fours, and Wayne Clarke, a splendid 53 not out from 85 balls with one six and two fours, put on 92 runs in 105 minutes before Keith Semple bowled the former and with James Ellis 11 not out, Fleetwood closed on a respectable 187-6. Darwen could only make 34 without loss before rain had the final say and both sides took four points.

Fleetwood skipper John Wright, who had to miss the game through a back injury, said: "I am delighted to have won the trophy.

"The lads have performed magnificently all through the season and with encouragement from our excellent professional Doug Marillier, they have brought the title to Broadwater for the first time in 19 years." He added with a smile, "And we can only get better!"

At Stanley Park Steven Croft ended his magnificent season with 76 not out and with Martin Pickles, 75 not out, put on 147 unbroken for Blackpool's second wicket but once again rain spoilt the proceedings when Blackpool had reached 159-1 against Chorley.