IN a thrilling finish at Windsor Park yesterday, Chorley secured victory over Northern Premier League champions Netherfield in the National Knockout competition with the last pair at the crease.

Chasing what looked a modest Netherfield total of 98 all out, Chorley were soon in desperate trouble themselves at 8-4 before Neil Senior (16) and Ian Mawdesley mounted a recovery, putting on 43 for the fifth wicket.

Ian Oakes (13) and Mawdesley then added 40 to take Chorley to the brink of victory on 91-5 but a clatter of wickets saw them suddenly subside to 94-9.

Mawdesley however kept his cool and fittingly rounded off a magnificent innings in difficult batting conditions, hitting the winning run and finishing unbeaten on 42.

Earlier, youngster Kyle Dixon took 3-20 and Iqbal Patel 2-6 from eight excellent overs in the Netherfield innings to which 27 extras made the highest contribution.

On Saturday, Chorley suffered a setback when they were beaten by Fleetwood by three wickets on a difficult batting track at Broadwater.

Put in to bat on a damp wicket, Chorley lost three batsmen cheaply before some gritty middle-order resistance steadied the innings.

However, a fine spell of medium-pace bowling by Alex Laird, which brought him 4 for 13 from eight overs, concluded the Chorley innings on 119.

Mark Richardson finished with 20 not out after good support from professional Stephen John (17) and Ian Mawdesley (19).