Starkie among the wickets but Preston beaten

Preston could not halt the charge of Netherfield at the top of the Northern League.

They made the Cumbrians work for their win at Parkside Park though, performing well with the ball.

Batting first, Preston were bowled out for 73 in 27.1 overs.

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Lukman Vahaluwala was their top scorer, the skipper hitting 23 off 39 deliveries.

Further down the order was an unbeaten knock of 20 from Rizwan Ali.

In reply, Netherfield lost five wickets as they chased victory on their home track.

Andrew Starkie took 3-30 off 11 overs, removing both of the hosts’ openers and their No.4 batsman.

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Vahaluwala claimed 2-18 but Netherfield reached their target in 24.1 overs, closing on 75-5.

They are way out in front in the title race, 43 points ahead of Chorley in second place.

Chorley returned with a 15-point haul from their clash with Morecambe at Woodhill Lane.

Gayen Maneeshan was the star with the bat, the Sri Lankan hitting 90 in Chorley’s tally of 149 all out.

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His knock featured three sixes and seven fours and he really was the mainstay of the visiting batting, Edwin Moulton the only team-mate to join him in double figures.

For Morecambe, sub pro Tony Palladino took 4-42 and Jamie Cassidy 4-35 – Tommy Clough weighing-in with two wickets.

Morecambe were 65 all out in reply, the last wicket going in the 35th over.

Mark Woodhead scored 29 but there was precious little resistance from the hosts.

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Moulton took 4-19 and Chris Harty 3-13 – Jamie Lee and Will Moulton taking one wicket apiece.

A strong 1oth wicket stand helped Leyland to earn a draw from their clash with St Annes.

Last pair David Makinson and Pabasara Waduge held out as the visitors closed on 111-9 at Vernon Road.

Waduge, batting at 11, hit 24 and Makinson four.

Earlier in the innings, Ross Bretherton had scored 28 and Andrew Makinson 21.

Leyland were replying to St Annes’ 122 all out.

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Tom Higson had hit 38 and Matthew Grindley 30 for the home side.

Bretherton, Steven Pallett and Kurtis Watson all took three wicket each.

Lancaster were beaten by Fleetwood by six wickets in their Lune Road clash.

After being asked to bat first, Lancaster were 107 all out in 32.2 overs.

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Charlie Swarbrick was their top scorer with 37 before he became one of five victims for Neels Bargh.

Fleetwood replied with 108-4 to claim victory, Bargh unbeaten on 43 and Mat Clark hitting 52.

In the all-Cumbrian clash, Barrow beat Kendal by three wickets at the Ernest Pass.

Blackpool’s game with Penrith was abandoned as Stanley Park was unplayable.