DARWEN returned to the top of the Northern Premier League on Saturday after comprehensively beating previous leaders Preston, then crashed out of the Lancashire Cup at the hands of Ormskirk on Sunday.

At Birch Hall, Keith Semple finished with 5-30 as the Preston innings closed on 118 from only 46 overs.

The Darwen innings got off to a flying start as Jackson and Hadfield took the score to 43 before Jackson was trapped lbw for 18. Hadfield went on to score 63 before falling to Parekh.

It was left to Horsfield and Gareth Cordingley to see the Darwen side home with 32 overs to spare.

Darwen decided to bat first at Ormskirk and after an early fright Semple and Lowe added 56 to take the score to 60 from 17 overs before Darwen lost three quick wickets to find themselves struggling on 62-4. Cordingley then shared partnerships of 25 with Grant (10), 18 with Hacking (10) and 34 with Mercer before he was needlessly run out for 32. Mercer stuck around and hit 22 as he helped guide Darwen to a total of 159 as the innings closed.

Mercer struck first taking Burns caught and bowled for 34 and Semple soon joined the action having Snellgrove caught by Gareth Cordingley for 46. Horsfield and Hacking took a further three wickets between them, but Waterhouse and Robinson were able to see Ormskirk home with one over to spare.