CHORLEY stayed on course for a day out at Bristol as they thumped Darwen in the Royal London ECB National Club Knockout in a double quick game at Birch Hall on Sunday.

And now they face a trip to Northern League rivals St Annes in the Group Four final, the last regional stage on the competition on Sunday, June 22.

Darwen skipper Jordan Clarke won the toss and chose to bat but his weakened side – missing ineligble professional George Linde – struggled in the face of good bowling.

Mark Emery fell for just three and although Ammer Mirza (34) and Chris Clarke (25) looked in control until the innings fell apart.

The Towers, who are sitting pretty at the top of the Northern League table, collapsed from 49-1 to 98 all out in just 28 overs with only Kamran Anwar (13) making double figures, while there were 18 extras.

The in-form Will Moulton was the shining light with the ball as he took out the Darwen tail on his way to the hugely impressive figures of 5-5 from six overs, while Richard Flood and Billy Smith both bagged a brace of wickets.

Chris Wade had David Fisher caught for one by Jordan Clarke as Chorley replied but that was as good as it got for Darwen as Chorley skipper Andy Holdsworth and Ian Dickinson steered their side to victory.

Holdsworth finished 44 not out and Dickinson 29 not out as Chorley coasted to 100-1 inside 20 overs.

In the other Group Four semi-final Baxenden’s former Rawtenstall and Accrington man Toby Bulcock top scored with 43 as St Annes beat Leyland by 84 runs at the Stanning Memorial Ground.

St Annes posted 198-7 from their 45 overs before Leyland were shot out for 114.

The national final takes place at Bristol in September with the tournament through to the national quarter-finals after the regional showdown.