DARWEN collected maximum points from an impressive 139 run victory over Leyland and Farrington in the Northern Premier League on Sunday to close the gap on leaders Netherfield.

Darwen batted first and the decision paid off as professional Keith Semple and Gareth Cordingley ripped into the Leyland bowling, putting together an undefeated partnership of 168 in 28 overs.

Both were in sparkling form with Semple top scoring with 106 from 112 balls including 15 fours and a six.

Cordingley had the crowd running for cover as he hit 81 from 85 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, one of which smashed the windscreen of a spectator's car in the process.

Leyland used eight bowlers as they tried in vain to break the partnership.

With both batsmen in such dominant form Darwen were able to declare on 240 for the loss of two wickets from only 47 of the allotted 57 overs.

Leyland's reply got off to a steady start as Atiq and Walsh took the score to 36 from 18 overs before Neil Cordingley, who returned to the side following the birth of his first son Christopher, broke the deadlock trapping Atiqu leg before for 16.

He was quickly followed by Walsh, bowled by Hacking for 19.

Captain Mercer then worked hard to anchor the innings as he helped take the score to 81 for four before he became Andrew Mercer's third victim.

From this point the Leyland innings fell away with the loss of a further five wickets for the addition of just 20 runs.

Mercer finished with four for 27 and Semple capped a remarkable day as he claimed the last wicket to fall. He finished with a staggering three wickets for just one run from 11.1 overs as he had statisticians racing for the record books.

Darwen seconds also claimed a 15 point victory as they bowled Leyland out for 105 with Chris Davies taking eight wickets.

On Saturday Darwen's third and fourth teams both won exciting encounters with Walton Le Dale in the Chorley and District Centenary Cup.