CHORLEY’S bid for second spot in the Northern Premier League was foiled despite their seasonal finale being the only game to beat the weather on Saturday.

Andy Holdsworth’s men faced deposed champions Leyland in what was a direct shoot-out for second – but it was the visitors who claimed a winning draw on a day when two of their men wrote their name into the history books.

Luis Reece became the first Leyland batsman to pass 1,000 runs in a season, while professional Brett Pelser also eclipsed Gordon Greenidge’s pro batting mark of 976 on a memorable day for the visitors.

Reece made 73 off 92 balls with five fours and five sixes as Leyland made 238-6 off 46 overs on a showery afternoon at Windsor Park.

Fresh from a match-winning 144 not out for Lancashire seconds at Hove, Reece batted majestically, sharing an opening stand of 147 with fellow Lancashire Seconds opener Henry Thompson (67).

Rain put a dampener on the derby game but Chorley closed on 137-5 after 27 overs.

Will Moulton hit 35 to reach 600 league runs for the season, Jack Bentham made 36 and Stu Naden was unbeaten on 36 at the close.

Carnforth skipper Adam Hornby smashed an unbeaten 53 including five fours and two sixes in his side’s 156 against Darwen at Lodge Quarry before the rain wrecked the match.

Darwen reached 22-1 before the rain closed in and the game was abandoned.