The most dramatic finish of the Northern League afternoon came at Shap Road as Darwen claimed a winning draw against Kendal as the scores finished level in a nail-biting finale.

Teenager Alex Davies hit 46 in Darwen’s 175-9 with Neil Cordingley making 38 and skipper John Cordingley, back after a broken finger, 21 not out.

Kendal professional Ross McMillan took 3-47 while Cumberland County off-spinner Chris Miller’s spell of 4-45 included the important wicket of Darwen pro Mohammad Zaman Khan, who was bowled for 27.

Lancashire Academy bowler Yakub Bhamji took 4-41 and the promising Kamran Anwar 3-40 to keep Kendal in check.

Kevin Howarth was run out off the last ball of the innings attempting to get home for a second run to leave the scores tied as the home side closed on 175-8 and level in a great finish.

Howarth top-scored with 42, while opener Jack White made 34 and former Nelson professional Terry Hunte 30.

Darwen

J Clarke ct Baker b McMillan 1
N Burke run out 0
Zaman Khan b Miller 27
A Davies b Miller 46
N Cordingley b Miller 38
K Anwar ct White b Miller 16
S Munns ct Baker b McMillan 6
J Cordingley Not Out 21
M Emery run out 12
C Wade b McMillan 0
Extras 8
Total (9 wickets, 50 overs) 175
McMillan 14 1 47 3, M Phillips 7 2 21 0, N Lewthwaite 4 1 16 0 0 0, C Miller 16 4 45 4, N Phillips 6 0 26 0, J White 3 0 14 0.

Kendal

G Ashb’er ct N Cord’ley b Anwar 29
J White ct N Cordingley b Bhamji 34
McMillan LBW Bhamji 8
T Hunte ct N Cordingley b Anwar 30
K Howarth run out 42
N Phillips ct Zaman Khan b Anwar 2
G Baker ct Zaman Khan b Bhamji 14
N Lewthwaite b Bhamji 2
C Miller Not Out 3
Extras 11
Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) 175
K Anwar 14 2 40 3, N Cordingley 9 1 24 0, Y Bhamji 11 1 41 4, Zaman Khan 12 0 46 0, C Wade 4 0 17 0.

Darwen winning draw.