CHORLEY’S hopes of sinking early leaders and derby rivals Leyland were sunk in the Saturday sun as they lost a thriller at Fox Lane.

Leyland Brett Pelser was the hero as he hit an unbeaten 85, rescuing his side from 70-6 as they chased 146.

Kieran McCullagh again bowled impressively for Chorley to take four wickets but Pelser found the ideal partner in the experienced Peter Cummings who was undefeated on 35 at the close.

Chorley’s modest total was bolstered by a defiant undefeated 54 from Michael Critchley, back after a broken thumb.

But Chorley’s brilliant professional JJ Smuts had a rare off day.

Father and son David and Andrew Makinson shared five wickets to restrict Chorley and despite a fine bowling spell from Smuts (2-47 off 20 overs), the locals missed rued the absence of Jack Catterall, James Reynard and Billy Smith.

Chorley

S Tolley c Watkinson b Reece 17
J Bentham b A Makinson 0
Smuts c Cross b A Makinson 14
W Moulton c Cummings b A Makinson 9
M Critchley Not Out 54
A Holdsworth run out 0
I Oakes C Cross b D Makinson 23
D Lamb b D Makinson 1
K McCullagh run out 0
R Purnell run out 12
Extras 15
Total (9 wickets, 50 overs) 145
L Reece 8 3 21 1, A Makinson 7 1 29 3, J Rounding 7 1 15 0, D Makinson 15 5 29 2, Pelser 13 2 39 0.

Leyland

K Cross c Harty b McCullagh 4
C Parkinson c Lamb b McCullagh 12
L Reece c Moulton b McCullagh 0
Pelser Not Out 85
T Foster c Tolley b McCullagh 0
T Reece b Smuts 1
A Makinson c McCullagh b Smuts 5
P Cummings Not Out 35
Extras 6
Total (6 wickets, 42.2 overs) 148
K McCullagh 13.2 3 53 4, Smuts 20 7 47 2, Rex Purnell 5 0 27 0, C Harty 4 0 15 0.