Lukey hits 166 for Preston

Iain Critchley was one of Chorley's bowling heroes

Resurgent Chorley continued their revival with a stunning victory over leaders St Annes in the Furness Building society Northern premier Cricket League (incorporating readers Cricket Balls).

Andy Holdsworth's side finished bottom of the table last season apart from Lancashire Colts who played only 13 games; but they are now challenging for the title after earning their fifth win batting first of the season. As the second half of the season started on a beautiful, sunny afternoon Chorley have already well surpassed last season's meagre points tally of 103; their 117 runs victory took them to 128pts.

After winning the toss and electing to bat Chorley were indebted to a superb innings by will Moulton who took on St Annes pro Dinuka Hettiarachchi almost single-handedly at the start. While Hettiarachchi wreaked havoc on his way to stunning figures of 8/56 off 24 overs Moulton, who benefitted from a drop in the outfield on 7, batted serenely. He made 90 off 93 balls with nine fours and five sixes before he was bowled by Ben Willis's third ball having looked odds-on for a century.

Will Moulton on his way to 90 for Chorley

 Hettiarachchi claimed five leg before decisions, bowled two and Duncan Whalley pulled off a smart stumping to dismiss Alex Weetman. Jack Bentham (29) and Weetman (18) had batted sensibly to take Chorley from 131/7 after Moulton's dismissal to 185.

Dinuka Hettiarachchi bowls to Chorley's Jack Catterall

St Annes' opener Atiq Uz-Zaman hit the first 29 of his side's reply before falling to a superb caught-and-bowled by Iain Critchley. The Chorley left arm spinner bowled superbly to take 4/31 from 15 overs after opening the bowling with Billy Smith who took 2/14. Pro Gaurav Dhar weighed in with 3/22 as Chorley's razor-sharp fielding supported their bowlers' efforts. St Annes subsided to 68 all out, Jimmy Lee claiming the final wicket with his first ball. Opener Nathesh Kiruparan battled through 68 balls for 20 until he was eighth man out.

Kendal won a low-scoring game at Woodhill Lane despite being bowled out for 111 by Morecambe. The in-form Jono Gates took 5/35, pro Anwar Ali 2/44 and Chris Williams 3/24 to seemingly set up a straightforward home win. Terry Hunte made 32 off 54 balls and Nick Lewthwaite (19) and Stu Parkin (22) made vital late order runs in a ninth wicket stand of 35.

Parkin and skipper Chris Miller then bowled Kendal to victory as Morecambe were dismissed for 75. Off-spinner Miller opened the bowling and bowled unchanged to take 5/32 off 13.5 overs with Parkin weighing in with 4/17 after Jack White had pinned Phil Dennison leg before.

Netherfield's Australian pro Ben Laughlin took 6/33 to skittle Barrow for 91 at Parkside Road and set up a maximum points haul for his side. Laughlin set the ball rolling by having prolific Barrow pro Pieter Malan caught behind for 2. Shane Dixon deputised for the injured John Huck as wicketkeeper and claimed four catches.

Earlier Laughlin hit 42 off 46 balls and with Ben Haddrick (36), Alex Atkinson (32) and Ben Barrow (37 not out) all contributing the home side made 200/8, Graham Dawson taking 3/46.

Lukman Vahaluwala hit a magnificent 166 for Preston at Carnforth, just four short of equalling Bilal Asad's club record made on the same ground. The Preston captain was in irrepressible form as his side made 293/9, but Carnforth saved the game comfortably and finished 215/6.

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Chorley's Billy Smith bowls to Atiq Uz-Zaman