Northern League

CHORLEY overwhelmed neighbours Leyland DAF at sun-drenched Windsor Park to win by 110 runs and go joint top of the Northern League with Netherfield who deposed long-time leaders Fleetwood with a crushing nine wickets win at Kendal.

Nigel Heaton top-scored with a classy 63 in Chorley's 195-7 to which Neil Senior contributed a typically forceful 43 and there was solid support from Jim Fazackerley (26) and Roland Horridge (27no).

DAF professional David Makinson took 3-48 from 14 overs. The visitors never looked capable of making the runs required after the loss of two early wickets to Ronnie Davis, including that of Makinson for a duck. Davis finished with 5-30 and Peter Deakin 2-8 as DAF were bowled out for 85.

In one of the most exciting Northern League title races for years Chorley and Netherfield now lead Fleetwood by two points with three matched to play.

Darwen moved to fourth with a crushing defeat of Leyland. Nigel Robbins scored 41 as Darwen were dismissed for 169, Steve Pallett taking 6-74.

But Jeff Hacking 5-20 and sub-pro James Peterson 4-17 ripped through the Leyland batting at the home side were skittled for 86.

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