CHORLEY remain on course for a return to Lords in the National Club Championship after a five wicket victory over Blackpool in the regional final at Windsor Park yesterday.

Four Chorley bowlers took two wickets each as Blackpool were bowled out for 136, Martin Pickles top scoring with 41.

But the visitors made Chorley work hard for their win and when skipper Roland Horridge wasdismissed for 41 to leave the home side on 77-5 the match could have gone either way.

However, youngster Tom Smith batted maturely for 24 not out and partnered Neil Senior (29 no) in an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 60 ---the biggest of the match ---to see Chorley through to victory.

They now have another lucrative home tie in the last 16 of this prestigious competition which they won twice in succession in the mid-90s.

On Saturday, Chorley's bid to complete a trio of wins over Fleetwood came unstuck, when the Northern Premier League's bottom club hung on for a draw.

Sixteen-year-old Tom Smith celebrated his selection for the Young England side by hitting his maiden Northern Premier League 50, and Horridge made an unbeaten 59 as Chorley reached 205-4.

At 124-1 with more than 20 overs to come Fleetwood seemed well-placed. But the loss of opener Michael Dewhurst for 46 and then pro Craig Pryor (44) changed the complexion of the match and the visitors' innings subsided to 183-7.

Chorley's seven points winning draw leaves them eight points behind new leaders Morecambe as long-time leaders Netherfield were surprisingly beaten by Preston.