CHORLEY sealed a dramatic victory over Clitheroe in the first round of the Lancashire Knockout Cup on fewer wickets lost after the game finished tied.

Chorley finished on 230-4 off their allotted 45 overs with Ed Moulton finishing unbeaten on 86.

Despite an heroic knock of 107 from captain Jack Dewhurst, it proved to be all in vain as Clitheroe posted the same score but lost eight wickets in to the process.

The visitors got off to a steady start and were 68-2 off 12 overs. The Moulton’s Ed and Will, moved the score along but once Will departed, his brother helped Chorley post a defendable score.

In Clitheroe’s reply, Ed Moulton claimed the big wicket of professional Fawad Alam with the hosts on 80-4 who then lost to more quick wickets and were struggling on 89-6.

But Dewhurst and Sam Mulligan steady the ship before Mulligan went with three overs remaining for a superb 49.

Chorley then got the wicket they wanted, Dewhurst caught behind by Barclay off the bowling of Moulton.

Clitheroe needed 13 runs to win off the last over but despite their best efforts, could only equal Chorley’s score and went out.

Nelson’s match with Clifton also finished tied and like Clitheroe, they went out on the fewer wickets lost rule - Clifton finishing on 257-6 and Nelson 257-9.

Darwen professional Calvin Savage returned incredible figures as he took four wickets for no runs off just 1.3 over as the Towers eased to a nine wicket victory at Leigh.

The home side batted first and were dismissed for 104 with Andrew Cook (3-14) also in the wickets.

In reply, Darwen reached their target for the loss of one wicket as Jordan Clarke finished unbeaten on 41.

Burnley professional Asif Zakir scored an unbeaten 102 as Burnley (293-7) beat Longridge (213-7) by 80 runs. Read suffered a first round exit as they were beaten by Preston side Penwortham. Batting first, Read were bowled out for 245 with Will Wrarth top scoring with 72.

In reply, Penwortham reached their target with five wickets intact and 12 overs remaining.

Whalley were beaten at Fulwood and Broughton. The hosts posted 271-9 and in reply, Mark Fallon top scored with 50 as Whalley closed on 255-9 to lose by 16 runs.

Oswaldwistle Immanuel are out as they closed on 233-7 chasing Greenfield’s 264 total.

Denton St Lawrence beat Ribblesdale League side Euxton while Settle lost to Woodbank and Todmorden were beaten by Farnworth.

Barnoldswick got a walkover in to the second round after In Time CC could not raise a team.

Ramsbottom and joint cup holders Lowerhouse, both got byes.