DARWEN were comprehensive winners by 176 runs on Saturday over Blackpool in the Premier League at Birch Hall.

Darwen batted first and looked to be in serious trouble at 10-2 in the sixth over before Keith Semple and Gareth Cordingley came together to put on a magnificent 149 in a most stunning partnership that took the game well beyond Blackpool's reach.

Starting slowly the pair moved the score to a modest 60 from 25 overs before really opening up to add a further 99 from the next 20 overs before Cordingley fell to Sharp for 70. He had hit 12 fours from the 122 balls he faced.

Semple went on to make an undefeated 116 including 13 fours and one huge six, his second 50 came from just 49 balls. The Darwen innings finished on a substantial 228 with Neil Cordingley adding a quick 25 at the end which also included two big sixes.

Captain Jeff Hacking then set about the Blackpool innings tearing out the heart of the team taking four wickets for six runs from just seven overs, including a double wicket maiden in his first over. His victims included the Blackpool captain Lomas for nought. After 12 overs Blackpool were 16-4 and staring at their heaviest defeat for many years.

Jamie Nicol was then introduced into the attack and he took three wickets from his seven overs for just 14 runs, whilst Gareth Cordingley chipped in with two wickets to finish the Blackpool innings off for just 56 runs in only 30 overs. The Darwen fielding was a match for the bowling with six catches being taken.

Top score for Blackpool was Danson who hit 18 before he fell to Nicol.

Darwen Second were on the end of a heavy defeat at Blackpool losing by eight wickets. Michael Grant took the two wickets to fall for just 10 runs from his five overs.