BRILLIANT Alex Davies scored a marvellous 118 on the opening day of the Northern League season – but couldn’t inspire Darwen to a win over a dogged Lancaster.

Davies faced 136 balls and hit nine fours and five sixes as the Towers went run crazy.

Sub-pro Andrea Agathangelou chipped in with 78 as they posted 254-7 declared – and then the South African Cypriot claimed four wickets.

But Lancaster dug in for a losing draw.

Chorley’s season got off to a shocking start as they were shattered by Fleetwood’s Adam Parker at Windsor Park.

He claimed 9-14 as the locals were skittled for just 58 on their way to a rapid seven-wicket loss.

Results Darwen 254-7 dec (A Davies 118, Agathangelou 78) Lancaster 146-7 (Agathangelou 4-43)
Darwen winning draw

Chorley 58 (A Parker 9-14) Fleetwood 63-3)
Fleetwood won by 7 wickets

Blackpool 181-8 Lancashire Cricket Board 183-5
Lancashire CB Winning Draw

Carnforth 97 Kendal 264-7 (How 160no, Bulcock 5-104)
Kendal won by 167 runs

Leyland 166-9 (Pelser 91) Barrow 157 (R Brown 68, Thompson 5-35)
Leyland won by 9 runs

Netherfield 251-7 (M Brown 66) St Annes 164-7 (A uz-Zaman 73)
Netherfield winning draw

Preston 91 (S Nalaband 50, G Pedder 6-45) Morecambe 51 (J Baladiwala 5-6)
Preston won by 40 runs