CHORLEY'S hopes of lifting the league title suffered a possibly fatal blow with this emphatic defeat at Windsor Park.

They crashed to a heavy defeat as Kendal bundled them out for 86 in just 44 overs.

Chorley captain Roland Horridge described the batting as "pitiful" and, as usual, he was correct.

Kendal's Pakistani professional Khan did bowl very well but the fact that no Chorley batsman reached 20 tells its own story.

Kendal won what was a good toss on yet another disappointing so called "summer's day" and, sure enough, rain twice intervened knocking 12 overs off Chorley's allocation.

The rain breaks also enabled Khan to recharge his batteries and eventually he bowled throughout from one end, finishing with 6 for 35 well supported by Ellwood's 3 for 19.

Chorley had two early successes, Purnell producing two excellent catches to remove Khan and Ashburner.

Hunte then survived a concerted appeal for a catch by Senior before setting off on the match winning partnership with Little.

The pair added 64 to take Kendal to the brink of victory before Marquet trapped Hunte LBW for 38. Little though remained unbeaten on 35 as Kendal got home by seven wickets.

Chorley are away to Morecambe next Saturday.

SCORECARD: Chorley 86... Kendal 87 for 3

Chorley Second XI have a chance to bring some silverware to Windsor Park when they play Lancaster at home in the semi-final of the Latus Trophy on Sunday.

Chorley under 15's will play Tobago under 17's today (Thursday) at Windsor Park, starting at 1pm.