IT was a triple header weekend of highs and lows for Chorley who swept to the top of the Northern League on Saturday but tasted defeat in two cup competitions.

A middle order batting slump left Chorley 15 short of victory in the Lancashire Cricket Board trophy tie at Egerton.

After the Bolton League side recovered from 68-7 to reach 135-9, Chorley professional Tim Menting taking 4-30, Chorley appeared well set at 107-3 in reply.

But solid efforts by Roland Horridge (35) and Nigel Heaton (26) proved in vain when the collapse set in. It was a vastly different story on Saturday at Sandy Lane where Chorley toppled league leaders Leyland DAF with the minimum of fuss.

Leg spinner Keith Eccleshare was in superlative form to send Leyland reeling from 81-1 to 117 all out with 7-52 from his 17 overs. Slow left-armer Rex Purnell bowled unchanged to pick up 2-40 from 24.1 very tidy overs.

On a sluggish track Chorley took no risks and a splendid second wicket stand of 102 between Russell Cake (60 not out) and skipper Roland Horridge (39) carried them to the brink of victory which was finally achieved for a loss of 2 wickets.

The failure of any of their three closest rivals to win on Saturday leaves Chorley four points clear at the top of the table.

Keith Eccleshare was again in fine form at Kendal yesterday, taking 5 for 19 in the Vaux Samson Cup final. Even so, Kendal posted a testing 162-8 which Chorley seldom looked capable of matching. Jim Fazackerley top scored with 33 in the visitor's all out reply of 122. Chorley play Birkenhead Park in the last 16 of the Abbot Ale Cup next Sunday at Windsor Park.

Darwen skipper Gareth Cordingley led his side to a comfortable four wicket win over Leyland with a magnificent 70, well supported by brother Neil with an unbeaten 28. After a poor start against some fine bowling from Andrew Mercer and Dave Bonner, Leyland recovered to reach a respectable 158-8.

Professional Neil Rimmer led the way, with Mercer and Darwen pro Peter Sleep taking three wickets each.

Darwen made their own faltering start but the Cordingley brothers reached the target with nine overs to spare.

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