CHORLEY gave Preston an insurmountable task at Windsor Park to leave the South Meadow Laners languishing at the bottom of the Vaux Northern League. (CHORLEY 184-7 dec PRESTON 150)

Chorley had little problem in notching up the runs, collecting 33 before the first wicket fell, Russell Cake caught by Glen Johnstone for 16.

Despite claiming the second wicket three runs later, Preston struggled to contain Chorley as Roland Horridge and James Fazackerley put on a further 36 runs before the latter was bowled by 16-year-old James Anyon.

With the score standing at 104-5, skipper Nigel Heaton led the charge with Rex Purnell with a 74 runs sixth wicket partnership. When Heaton was caught off Paul Mann for 52, Chorley declared on 184-7.

Preston's reply, in short, got off to a dreadful start as they lost their first wicket for six when Paul Mann was lbw to Iqbal Patel for two.

Twelve runs later Charlie Williams was caught behind by Neil Senior off Patel for twelve.

The third Preston wicket fell at 37 when Antony Mann was caught by Horridge for five to give Patel his third wicket.

Paul Paynter and Asif Bukhari put Preston back in the game with a 69 runs partnership for the fourth wicket until Bukhari was caught by Cake off John Greaves for 37.

Paul Paynter played a cameo of an innings which included 3 sixes and 7 fours in his 55, but when he departed with the score on 141-8 Preston's chance of victory disappeared.

The last two wickets only produced 5 runs as Chorley professional Josh Marquet finished with 3-27 from 11 overs, while his opening bowling partner Iqbal Patel took 3-44.

For their last match of the season Preston entertain Fleetwood at West Cliff.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.