DARWEN'S defence of their Northern Premier League title got off to the best possible start as they picked up 12 points from a five-wicket victory over Kendal at Shap Road on Saturday.

Captain Chris Lowe asked Kendal to bat, and his decision reaped early rewards as vice captain Mercer clean bowled Cooper in his first over, and with Semple having South caught behind by Lowe for one in his second over, Kendal found themselves reeling at 12 for two in just four overs.

Then the introduction of Hacking and Gareth Cordingley saw the heart of the Kendal innings ripped out. The pair accounted for five wickets in 12 overs for the addition of just 23 runs to leave Kendal on 92 for 8 from 33 overs.

The Kendal tail added a further 43 runs before Hacking came back to claim his fourth victim for only 11 runs from his ten overs to wrap up the innings.

In reply, Darwen's professional Keith Semple demonstrated his early season form by scoring a quick 44 from as many balls, while Ainslie scored a steady 31 before he fell to the young Barrington to leave Darwen on 101 for 3.

It was left to Gareth Cordingley to see the side home.

Darwen Seconds secured a maximum 15-point victory as the beat Kendal by 95 runs. Darwen scored 189. A sparkling 67 from Dominic Heys and 48 not out from Bonner were the main contributers. Emery and Davies claimed 3 wickets a piece in the Kendal reply.

In the Chorley and District League, both Darwen teams lost to Walton-Le-Dale. For the third team both Valimulla and Lawrenson snapped up three wickets as Walton-Le-Dale scored 215 for 8. In reply Darwen were dismissed for 113 with Beesley (32), Mulla (30) and Sheikh (19) being the pick of the batsmen.