ONCE again the weather had the final say in this rain-blighted season as Chorley and Kendal had to settle for two points apiece from Saturday's washed out league clash at Windsor Park.

The rain began to fall just as the Kendal innings closed on 200-8 and the Chorley reply never got under way.

Hunte top scored for the visitors while Eccleshare claimed five wickets, but ultimately it all counted for nothing.

And there will be no fourth trip to Lord's for Chorley as they went out of this season's Abbot Ale Cup on Sunday.

Fleetwood's seemingly modest total of 147 proved enough to snooker Chorley who turned in an uncharacteristically limp batting display, with no batsman passing 20.

On a tricky pitch, Fleetwood lost Sherlock to an early run out and wickets fell regularly thereafter, with only Coultas (34) and Whalley (36) seriously threatening.

Chorley bowled tightly with Purnell, Lee, Eccleshare and Critchley returning decent figures, but on this wicket 147 was not a bad total.

Fazackerley went early and then Cake was out to a superb catch before Whalley gave Chorley real hope.

Coming on to bowl, his first five deliveries were all wides. In one of the strangest overs ever seen at Windsor Park, Whalley eventually produced a 14-ball over containing eight wides. Needless to say he did not return for a second over.

After Horridge had edged to the keeper, a real turning point came when Heaton was foolishly run out.

Senior, having hooked Sherlock for six, was caught next ball off a skier trying to repeat the dose.

Lee and Purnell produced a 29 stand before Purnell was caught at long off and despite a late flurry from Catterall, who crashed two huge sixes, Fleetwood removed Eccleshare to win by 22 runs.

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