RAIN cut short an intriguing Northern Premier League 20-20 Cup match at Windsor Park with Darwen chasing Chorley's 133 for 9 from their full 20 overs.

Man-in-form Tom Smith hit 43 for the home side, who were also grateful for a productive eighth-wicket partnership of 47 between youngsters Jack Catterall (24 not out) and Grav Dhar (23).

It enabled them to set Darwen a challenging total of 134 for victory.

Neil Cordingley batted well for his top-score of 30 in Darwen's reply and the match was delicately poised with the visitors on 85 for 5 after 12 overs when rain ended play prematurely.

Darwen won the game by virtue of a slightly faster run-rate.

The victory by Leyland Motors in the other final group match has left the matter of who goes forward as group winners in the air.

Strictly on run-rate, Motors claim they should be group winners - they also defeated Darwen when the two sides played each other.

Chorley, Darwen and Motors all won two matches out of three, but on overall run-rate over the three matches it is between Darwen and Motors.

Darwen believe that because their match at Chorley was curtailed by rain run-rate in that one game should not count.

The league competition rules don't appear to offer a clear-cut solution.

Motors representative Dave Makinson said that discussion between the two clubs had been inconclusive and that they might have to have a re-match with Darwen to decide the issue if the Northern Premier League do not make a ruling.