A CENTURY third-wicket partnership between Tom Smith (66) and skipper Nigel Heaton (67) set up Chorley's comprehensive victory over Leyand by 144 runs at Fox Lane.

The pair took the score from 17-2 to 136 and, though Leyland were briefly back in the game with Chorley on 143-5, a quickfire stand of 49 between professional Stephen John (26) and Neil Senior (31 not out) carried the visitors to an imposing 203-7.

The young Smith brothers, strongly supported by John, then proceeded to decimate the Leyland reply. Six batsmen, including both openers, failed to score and the home side slumped before an eighth-wicket stand of 27 held up Chorley for a while.

But when the Smith brothers combined to remove Zuba Patel for 20 the innings quickly closed on 59.

Tom Smith finished with 3-14 and Billy Smith with 3-20. John's 12 testing overs produced 2-12 and spinner Nick Woods captured two late wickets for five runs.

Chorley took the maximum 15 points and Leyland three.