DARWEN lost their Thwaites Cup encounter by just 16 runs in a high-scoring game at Kendal on Sunday.

Kendal chose to bat first and openers Little and South put together a partnership of 89 before Gareth Cordingley struck to dismiss Little for 37.

Mercer then came back into the attack to have South caught by Horsfield for 48. Darwen were then able to restrict the Kendal batting until Howarth (44) and Khan (38 not out) added a quick 41.

The Kendal innings closed on 223 for 6 with only Cordingley and Horsfield making any impression with the bowling.

The Darwen reply got off to a steady start with Jackson (37) and Horsfield (23) adding 54 for the first wicket.

Darwen then looked in trouble at 85 for 3 before Gareth Cordingley put together two solid partnerships of 53 and 66 with Lowe (21) and his brother John (32).

Then the Darwen innings collapsed in the most dramatic style as they went from 204-4 to 207 all out in the space of nine balls with Khan cleaning up the innings taking three wickets in four balls.