A GOOD weekend for Chorley saw them collect their first league win of the new season and also make Abbot Ale progress at the expense of Northern League colleagues, Morecambe.

Saturday's trip to St Annes ended with a five wicket success despite the home side being given a solid start by Darlington and professional Baptiste.

But Baptiste was brilliantly run out by Purnell and though Darlington went on to top score with 45, the St Annes innings never really regained its early impetus and they closed on 155 for 9. Professional Jo Angel and Keith Eccleshare each picked up three wickets.

Once again the Chorley reply was dominated by the superb Russell Cake who batted for two and a half hours before finally falling for 80. By then Chorley were virtually home and dry and an unbeaten 24 from Heaton saw Chorley pass their target with five wickets down.

Sunday saw an Abbot Ale tie ultimately decided by the weather. Batting first Morecambe were bowled out for 144 - a gross perhaps, but not likely to be gross enough against Chorley's batting.

Former Burnley and Wales footballer Leighton James top scored with 55 but wickets regularly fell with Critchley collecting three and Eccleshare and Heaton two apiece.

Chorley got off to a flying start with Fazackerley contributing 36 of an opening stand worth 49 before he was caught.

Heavy rain brought a premature end with Chorley 68 for 2 from 18 overs and thereby comfortable winners on run rate, Cake unbeaten on 21.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.