AN enthralling Northern Premier League game at Stanley Park last Saturday (May 11) ended in a draw as Chorley chased Blackpool's 186-7 made in 57 overs.

Chorley lost two early wickets, recovered and eventually had to settle for the draw at 173-8 as Blackpool bowled the final two overs for a solitary run.

Winning the toss and batting, Blackpool made a promising start as Martin Pickles and Chris Simcock put on 36 for the first wicket before the former was adjudged leg before wicket for 22 to left arm pace bowler Stephen John. Simcock followed at 54 when he played on to John for 21. Richard Lamb did not last long and pulled England youngster Tom Smith straight to debutant Andy Holdsworth at mid-wicket when he had made only nine, and that was 62-3.

Mark Lomas and Paul Danson then put on 57 in 54 minutes before Danson, 16, edged Ian Oakes through to wicketkeeper James Catterall. Oakes then made it two wickets in three balls when Chris Barrow prodded a ball down only for it to roll back on to his stumps.

Lomas and Steve Mercer took the attack to the bowlers and they put on 45 in 34 minutes before Lomas skied Smith to Stephen Cooke at mid-wicket when he had made 50 from 96 balls with six fours. Mercer ended with 23 not out and with Oliver Newby run out off the final ball for six, Blackpool's innings -- with the generous help of 39 extras -- ended on 186-7.

The Chorley reply began badly and two wickets were lost with the total on 10. Newby was the successful bowler as he had Mark Richardson caught behind by Martin Hackett for nought and then produced a beauty to bowl Oakes, also for nought.

Smith and skipper Nigel Heaton began the recovery and they added 49 in 46 minutes before Heaton was adjudged leg before wicket to Marcus Sharp for 23. By his reaction on his way back to the pavilion, and his action when he arrived there, he did not approve of the decision but he had gone and Chorley were 59-3.

Smith and Stephen John counter attacked as Blackpool's bowling, with Sharp and Newby rested, wilted under the pressure. John was missed twice off skiers in the late 20s but the errors were not to prove costly for, with the total on 132, he was leg before wicket to Sharp for a well-made 30.

Smith cruised past an accomplished half century while new batsman Iqbal Patel attacked. Patel played one glorious drive through extra cover off Sharp, but paid for his indiscretion next delivery as the Blackpool professional had him edging the ball through to Hackett. He was gone for 13 and Chorley were 148-5.

John Hotham made only one before he was bowled by Sharp, but young Kyle Dixon attacked and with 19 required from four overs, Chorley were in the driving seat. Sharp and Newby had other ideas and, after he had made a quick-fire 15, Dixon was caught behind off Newby at 171-7. Blackpool set the field expertly and allowed Smith singles so that he had little of the strike. Indeed, he faced only nine balls in the final 10 overs.

Fifteen runs were required from the final two overs but firstly Sharp produced a maiden over to Cooke and then, after a single to Smith from the first ball of the final over, Newby bowled Cooke for one. That was the end of Chorley's attempt to win the game and Catterall played out the final five balls without scoring leaving Chorley on 173-8 and the game drawn.

Tom Smith made a magnificent 78 not out from 158 balls with 10 fours and Sharp took 4-37 while Newby had 4-34. Blackpool took eight points to Chorley's three.