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A fine all-round performance from professional Richard Petrie led Darwen to a comfortable victory over Lancaster and enabled the Birch Hall side to open up a nine point lead over St Annes at the top of the Northern League with four game remaining.

Petrie returned figures of 4-30 as Lancaster never recovered from losing their first three wickets for only 15 despite a determined innings of 59 from professional Hans, as the visitors were restricted to 142-9.

Without needing to take any risks Darwen batted sensibly in reply with useful contributions from Chris Lowe (24) and Gareth Cordingley (38). The backbone to the innings being a deserved unbeaten half century from Petrie who finished the match with four boundaries from the last seven balls he faced.

A cavalier innings of 99 not out by Morecambe's dashing young South African professional Ashwell Prince destroyed Chorley at Woodhill Lane.

Put in to bat, Chorley lost four cheap wickets and it needed a watchful rebuilding exercise by Roland Horridge (51) and Neil Senior (76no) to steer the visitors to safer waters with a fifth wicket partnership of 88.

Neither offered a chance and Senior was at his pugnacious best, hitting four sixes and seven fours. A late flourish from professional Josh Marquet took Chorley to 175-8.

But the total never looked challenging enough for the flamboyant Prince who mixed classical shots with enormous blows at almost a run a ball to carry Morecambe to an easy seven wickets victory. Only Marquet escaped the carnage to finish with 2-22 from 15 overs.

RESULTS: Darwen 146-3 (12), Lancaster 142-9 (0); Fleetwood 169 (1), Leyland DAF 170-5 (12); Kendal 137 (2), Preston 140-9 (15); Leyland 95-6 (2), Blackpool 161-8 (5); Morecambe 176-3 (12), Chorley 175-8 (1); St Annes 232-5 (8), Netherfield 234-5 (12)