It was a frustrating afternoon for Chorley at Leyland Motors as rain during the tea interval left them with just 21 overs to reach their target of 149.

They fell agonisingly short by just ten runs.

This was a terrific effort, not to mention a very spirited one, by Chorley's young side, though it was two of the 'old guard', Mark Richardson and captain Michael Critchley who almost pulled off an improbable victory.

Having won the toss, Motors elected to bat and a fine catch by keeper Jack Catterall off Billy Smith soon removed Cross before Chris Roe produced a splendid spell. His first four overs resulted in figures of three wickets for 11 runs including the vital wicket of prolific professional Atif Ashraf who slapped a careless shot to cover.

Roe also bowled home captain Makinson to leave Motors 95/6, but Aspinall hit a patient 22, made in an hour and a half.

Tom Smith, fresh from his England under-19 success, bowled superbly to post figures of two wickets for 20 runs off 14 overs.

The rain, though, was to have a big say.

Though not heavy, it needed some mopping up before resumption. Chorley's task looked nigh on impossible meaning they had to score at around seven an over. But what a good fist they made of it. Tom Smith and Richardson put on a quickfire 40 before Smith was the victim of a poor run out decision and Gaurav Dhar quickly followed.

However Richardson and Critchley compiled an 80 run stand in just nine overs to put the winning post in sight.

However Critchley was bowled for a 30 ball 47 and despite Richardson finishing unbeaten on 50 Chorley couldn't quite reach the target.

Ironically under the Northern League's somewhat obtuse rules, Chorley finished with two fewer points than their largely opponents despite largely outplaying them.