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Darwen's exceptional league form continued apace at Fleetwood with a fine six-wicket victory at Broadwater.

Petrie was soon in action on a wicket that gave assistance to the pacemen, sending back three of Fleetwood's top order with only a total of 19 runs on the board, a position from which the Fishermen never recovered.

Despite a sound innings of 45 from the home team's professional Nicholson, Fleetwood failed to reach a total which justified the quick outfield and sunbaked conditions.

What appeared to be a poor total to defend soon became extremely difficult for the Birch Hall boys when Fleetwood's opening bowlers destroyed the first four batsmen for only one run conceded.

This brought together Cordingley (G) and skipper Hacking, who set about the task of consolidating the innings, a job which they did magnificently, inching towards and passing the target without further loss. Petrie finished with figures of 6-33, Cordingley 56 not out and Hacking 31 not out. Fine performances indeed.

Chorley and Netherfield served up a feast to earn maximum batting points on a sun-baked track at Windsor Park. The two captains led the way with unbeaten centuries, Netherfield's Australian professional skipper Geoff Foley hammering 154 with 16 fours and six sixes and Nigel Heaton compiling a stylish 112 including no fewer than 21 boundaries.

Both sides, however, were briefly in trouble. A stand of 165 between Foley and Jimmy Moyes (63) rescued the visitors from a shaky 41-4 and then when Chorley batted an unpromising 58-5 was transformed into 161-6 by a partnership of 103 between Heaton and Michael Critchley (23). Rex Purnell also prospered at the end with 27no but Chorley finished 37 runs short of victory due in part to receiving four overs fewer than Netherfield. Chorley take four points and Netherfield seven.

Yesterday's Vaux Bitter Cup quarter final was abandoned after a thunderstorm turned Windsor Park into a lake.

Leyland had reached 101-4 from 29 overs with professional Neil Rimmer, 57no. Rex Purnell took 3-19 from his eight overs. The match will be replayed next Sunday.