DARWEN suffered a disappointing weekend, missing out on the chance to go second in the Northern Premier League due to the weather on Saturday, and being beaten in the final of the Slater Cup on Sunday.

Darwen entered the Slater Cup final in confident mood as they chose to bat and set Netherfield a substantial target.

Semple and Jackson took the score on to a respectable 96 in the 26th over before Jackson fell to Horne for 45.

Semple's was the fourth wicket to fall when the score stood at 179.

He had scored 65 in a steady innings which included seven fours.

John Cordingley chipped in with 32 from 35 balls as the Darwen innings finished on 184-5 from the allotted 40 overs.

Netherfield soon set about the Darwen total with gusto as they put on 60 for the first wicket from just 11 overs to make it look easy.

But when Walmsley fell to Gareth Cordingley for 39 Darwen had a glimmer of hope.

However, this was soon snuffed out by Peter Strydom who went on to make a rapid 72 from just 79 balls to see Netherfield comfortably home by nine wickets in only 35 overs.

It was disappointing for Darwen who had seen off the likes of Chorley and Blackpool to reach the final but Netherfield have proved to be a force to be reckoned with this season.

It was their second trophy of the weekend as they were crowned league champions on Saturday.

Darwen hope to finish runners-up in the league and looked to have set up the chance of a win at Kendal on Saturday by setting a daunting first innings total of 229-7.

Gareth Cordingley hit his first century of the season before he became one of Khan's seven wickets. His 102 came from 155 balls and included 11 fours.

Neil Cordingley, Jeff Hacking and Chris Lowe all made telling contributions. However, Kendal were unable to start their innings and the game ended in a draw.

Meanwhile, Chorley's late season decline continued, where a disappointing batting collapse eased Netherfield's path to their fourth League title in five years.

Tight bowling by Donald Wheatman and Stuart Clement had Chorley struggling from the start, ten maidens coming from their combined 16 overs. A resolute 47 from England under 16 player Tom Smith, who opened the innings, repaired early damage, supported by 21 from Nigel Heaton, but from a steady position of 93-4 the innings crumbled to 123 all out.

An opening partnership of 49 set Netherfield on their way and, despite two wickets falling to spin of Rex Purnell, pro Strydom with 45 saw the visitors to the brink of victory.