Northern League: De Kock leads Darwen to derby glory (From Chorley Citizen)

Northern League: De Kock leads Darwen to derby glory

7:53am Tuesday 5th June 2012 in Chorley CC By Matt Donlan, Sports reporter

DARWEN claimed only their second win of the Northern League season yesterday as they turned in a five-star Birch Hall show to beat derby rivals Chorley.

The Towers were well worth their win and dominated for the large part of an entertaining derby.

Batting first Darwen looked in the groove with Alex Davies finding the middle of his bat.

Despite giving three tough chances Davies appeared set for the day only to be removed by Will Moulton for 47 as wicketkeeper and skipper Andy Holdsworth held a sharp chance.

That made it 81-2 after Niall Burke had falled 11 runs earlier.

But any hope Chorley had of running through the Towers was shattered by professional Shaun De Kock and skipper John Cordingley.

The pair worked hard for their runs – but punished the bad ball in what turned out to be a game changing stand of 87 in 16 overs.

South African De Kock made a fine half-century, while Cordingley deserved a 50 and was pushing on when he was bowled by Kieran McCullagh for a crafted 47.

De Kock too fell before the end of the innings but he had made 65 and Darwen posted 208-5 with McCullagh claiming a couple of wickets in his final over.

it was going to be a tough chase for Chorley – and so it proved as they never got to grips with Darwen’s accurate bowling despite scoring at a decent rate.

And with De Kock spinning his way to 4-37, Chorley were all out for 160 in 38 overs.

Elsewhere Jon Miles made a superb 111 not out as leaders Barrow strolled to a 10-wicket win over Carnforth, while Netherfield skipper John Mason and pro Cobus Pienaar shared an unbroken 151-run stand as their side crushed neighbours Kendal by nine wickets.

Lancaster beat Morecambe in the day’s big upset, while Leyland and Preston drew and Blackpool piled on the misery for St Annes.