DARWEN suffered at the hands of a stunning Morecambe batting display as they slipped to defeat in the Chorley Building Society Northern League on Saturday.

The Towers were put to the sword at Birch Hall despite getting off to a fine start with Kamran Anwar striking three times early on to leave the seaside’s wobbling.

However, any hopes of more success were shattered by Morecambe pro Kelly Smuts and former Blackpool goalkeeper Lewis Edge.

The pair turned the game on its head with their brilliant displays with Smuts making 160 and Edge 123.

Morecambe declared on 304-7 when Smuts was caught on the ropes by John Coringley in the 47th over.

And any hopes of a most unlikely victory or even the possibility of Darwen hanging on for a losing draw were shattered by former Tower Yakub Bhamji who claimed five wickets and Smuts collected four as Darwen were 128 all out in 39 overs.

It was also a bad day for Chorley against leaders Blackpool at Stanley Park.

Middle order half-centuries from skipper Paul Danson, professional Christi Viljoen and Stephen Twist helped Blackpool pile on 253-6 from their 50 overs.

And then Viljoen ensured it was to be a miserable day for Chorley as he claimed seven wickets to send Andy Holdsworth’s men crashing to 87 all out.

Elsewhere, Leyland beat Penrith in Cumbria, while Barrow drew with Preston and St Annes strolled past Fleetwood.

And Lancaster pull off an upset with a fine win over Netherfield at Lune Road.