DEFEAT by four wickets at St Annes on Saturday cost Chorley their place at the top of the Northern League.

Professional Ronnie Davis contributed 42 to Chorley's 172-7 but the total never looked enough on a wicket which became more docile as the game progressed.

A fluent 75 from West Indian professional Eldine Baptiste, backed up by Andrew Flintoff's polished innings of 57, enabled St Annes to reach 175-6.

Chorley fared better yesterday in the Skipton Building Society Lancashire Knockout second round game at Crosby against Liverpool Competition side Northern.

The home side were bowled out for 108 with Ross Demming capturing 5-20 and Chorley had little difficulty in making 112-2, Neil Bannister being undefeated on 55. Chorley are next in action on Friday when they travel to Worsley to play Roe Green in the Abbot Ale Cup regional semi final (2pm start).

Simon Painter starred with both bat and ball as Darwen had by far the better of their drawn game at Preston in the Vaux Northern League to collect five points. Solid batting down the order enabled Darwen to reach 196 for six, with Painter (49), Graeme Parkinson (42 not out), Gary Jackson (39) and Gareth Cordingley (35) the main contributors.

Painter then picked up four for 37 in 13 overs but Darwen couldn't winkle out the home team who finished on 114 for seven.

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