DARWEN finished off their season in the Northern Premier League by picking up seven points from a winning draw away at Leyland on Saturday.

Darwen were put in to bat and amassed an impressive 215-7 declared, thanks to a second consecutive league century from Gareth Cordingley.

Gareth and Mark Hadfield had put on 57 for the third wicket when Hadfield was bowled by Rimmer for 33 from 96 balls in an anchor role.

Gareth then had successful partnerships with his brother Neil (30) and captain Jeff Hacking (70) before Darwen declared the innings, leaving him on 109 not out from just 138 balls. He had hit 11 fours and two incredible sixes in a breathtaking innings.

The Leyland innings soon hit the rocks with Semple taking two early wickets to leave them on 19-2 in the eleventh over. Bavla and Rimmer then took the attack to Darwen, hitting 96 from the next 21 overs before Rimmer fell to Semple in the first over of his second spell for 45.

Jeff Hacking also returned to the attack to take three quick wickets as the Leyland innings lost all momentum. Leyland settled for the draw as the batsmen worked hard to keep the Darwen attack at bay. The final wicket to fall was that of Bavla for 80 from the bowling of Gareth Cordingley in the 52 over.

The Leyland innings finally finished on 182-8, some 33 runs short of the target.

Darwen finished fifth in the league as a result of this game, however, with the runners up spot in the two cup competitions, the season has certainly had its high notes and with a young squad they have much to look forward to next year.

Darwen seconds ran out comfortable winners by 60 runs over Leyland on Saturday as they finished off an excellent season with many budding young players making their mark.