DARWEN'S fine recent form was firmly stopped in its tracks on Saturday and Sunday, with a 36-run defeat to Kendal and 10-run defeat to Chorley respectively.

On Saturday, Darwen looked to be in control when Michael Horsfield ran out the dangerous Terry Hunte.

But Kendal professional Kabir Khan smashed his way to an entertaining 104 before some big hitting late in the innings took the Kendal total to a challenging 228 for 7, despite Andrew Mercer taking 4-80 runs from 20 overs.

Darwen appeared to be in control with the score on 76-1, but the loss of three quick wickets put the home team on the back foot.

Only Gareth Cordingley (48) and John Cordingley (28) made any impact in Darwen's innings and were eventually bowled out for 193.

In the Chorley camp, a superb century by opening batsman Tom Smith at Windsor Park set up another 15 points win to take them above opponents Fleetwood into fifth place in the Northern Premier League.

Smith's polished 107 contained fifteen boundaries and he was given solid support by Nick Woods (24) and Michael Critchley (34) in a fourth- wicket stand.

Chorley's total of 203-5 was never seriously threatened by Fleetwood, soon struggling at 38-3.

Michael Clinning (21) and John Wright (31) held up the home side's victory charge for a while, before an impressive spell by young leg-spinner Grav Dhar, who returned 3-10 from seven overs, triggered a late-order collapse and Fleetwood were bowled out for 115.

Chorley then hosted Darwen in the third Round National Knockout on Sunday.

Chorley batted first and amassed a total of 195, with Neil Cordingley taking three for 19 from eight overs. A number of missed opportunities cost depleted Darwen dearly in the field.

In reply, Darwen finished with 186-8, with Gary Jackson top scoring with 44, Neil Cordingley 31, captain Chris Lowe made 30 and Andrew Mercer contributed 25.

CHORLEY 201-5

FLEETWOOD 115 all out

Chorley (15 pts) beat Fleetwood (2 pts) by 86 runs

CHORLEY

T Smith b Hill ...107

J Catterall b Blundell ...6

N Woods lbw b Fish ...24

N Heaton lbw b Blundell ...1

M Critchley not out ...34

John c Sharrocks b Blundell ...7

N Senior not out ...1

Extras ...21

Total (5 wkts) ...201

Bowling: S Hill 14-2-50-1; T Blundell 16-4-39-3; Marillier 12-2-51-0; D Fish 15-3-42-1

FLEETWOOD

W Clark lbw b John ...12

M Dewhurst c John b B Smith ...3

M Clinning c John b Woods ...21

Marillier c T Smith b B Smith ...4

J Wright b Dhar ...31

R Clarke b Dhar ...3

A Sharrocks b Woods ...8

T Blundell st Senior b Dhar ...3

A Breakell run out ...0

S Hill not out ...5

D Fish b John ...5

Extras ...20

Total (all out) ...115

Bowling: John 10.5-1-30-2; B Smith 6-1-18-2; T Smith 5-0-20-0; N Woods 8-1-31-2; G Dhar 7-2-10-3