Darwen maintained impressive league form with a thrilling last ball victory over Morecambe to register their 11th win of the current campaign and remain undefeated.

Replying to a total of 162 which saw two fine batting performances from Morecambe opener Woodhead (44) and skipper Thornton (43), Darwen began disastrously, losing three wickets for one run before professional Petrie, adding to bowling figures of 6-53 steadied the ship with a watchful 56. Darwen skipper Hacking continued with a cautious innings of 31 to put the Birch Hall lads back in the game before Neil Cordingley launched the winning assault, scoring 45 not out which included a massive six from the last ball to capture the points.

Chorley lost a thriller at Stanley Park when Blackpool squeezed home in the final over with the last pair at the crease.

Chorley surprisingly opted to bat on winning the toss and must have quickly rued the decision as they slumped to 41-6. Blackpool professional Sharp bowled like his name but the Chorley tail wagged as they recovered from 71-8 to finally reach 117. Sharp took 6-29 while keeper Hoggarth snapped up five catches.

Blackpool though were made to fight for the runs as Marquet in particular bowled superbly in taking 5-27 from 19 extremely quick overs.

A totally one-sided Vaux Bitter Cup tie saw Chorley easily progress into the semi-final as Leyland were bowled out for 65.

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