LANCASTER are now two points clear at the top of the table because of their winning draw at Lune Road last Saturday against Chorley.

Batting first, Lancaster's innings closed at 173-9. Ian Parkinson top scored with 40 and Chorley's professional, Ronnie Davies, took 4 for 47.

In reply, Chorley finished on 173-7. Neil Senior responded with a hard hitting 86, while Leicestershire trialist Kevin Howarth, studying at Lancaster University, took 4 -31.

Nevertheless, Chorley got their revenge in the Vaux Sampson Cup when they beat Fleetwood by six wickets with five balls to spare. Captain Roland Horridge led by example and scored 94, while opening batsman Neil Bannister made 42.

Preston are now next to the bottom of the table after losing to Kendal by 56 runs.

Batting first, the Cumbrians made 150-7 off their allotted 50 overs. John Bobby made 36, and Preston professional Manej Parekh took 4 wickets for 73 runs.

They fared no better in the cup, losing to St Annes by 119 runs.

The home side batted first at Vernon Road and made 215 for 6, with Russell Bradley top scoring with 46.

Preston were shut out for 96, with Adrian Darlington taking their last three wickets for six runs in two overs.

Returning to the league, Leyland went down to a penultimate ball defeat at Fox Lane to current champions Morecambe.

Leyland, batting first, reached 159-7 with professional Paul Tebay making 7.

Morecambe got the required runs for the loss of 8 wickets, with captain Graham Fisher making 46 and professional Steven Pope 41. This leaves Leyland bottom of the league.

Leyland DAF hung on for a point in a losing draw against Blackpool at Stanley Park.

The home side made 187-6 from their allotted overs, with Gavin Wiggins making 41. Leyland DAF's attack was handicapped because professional David Makinson was unfit to bowl. In reply, DAF were always struggling against some good bowling from teenager Paul Danson who took four wickets for 36 and professional Yasas Tillekaratne with 4 for 42.

Leyland DAF were involved in a close finish in their cup match at Sandy Lane against Darwen.

They won by three runs, with the final Darwen wicket falling to deputy professional Steven Titchard from Lancashire from his last delivery.

Titchard's 69 runs and three wickets for 36 earned him Leyland DAF's man of the match.

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