AN unbeaten knock of 103 off 126 balls by Bilal Khiljee condemned Kendal to defeat as they lost by three wickets to Chorley at Shap Road.

Kendal gave debuts to amateurs Chris Ngoepe, Tom Bailey and Sri Lankan Wesley Fernando while Ryan Shepherd and Gary Baker also returned to the side.

Chorley won the toss and elected to field. The Shap Road side, who opened with Paul Dodds and Darren Braithwaite, struggled to get out of the blocks as Chorley's opening bowling attack bowled tightly while the visitor's fielding made life hard for the opening pair.

Despite the early difficulties both Dodds and Braithwaite chipped away with quick singles and the odd boundary.

Kendal's luck was out when Paul Dodds was caught for seven by wicketkeeper Andy Holdsworth off the bowling of Edwin Moulton.

New overseas amateur signing Ngoepe came to the crease and batted well as he posted a quick-fire half century as he scored fifty off fifty balls. The South African, who hit seven fours and two sixes, played some stunning strokes as Chorley early game plan was beginning to collapse.

Kendal raced along to 94, before Ngoepe's stunning performance came to an end as he picked out Ian Dickinson off the bowling of Stuart Naden, while Darren Braithwaite who batted gamely for 33 off 85 balls also fell as he was stumped by Andy Holdsworth off a Stuart Naden delivery.

Kendal, looking to rebuild on 98-3, battled on to 125 with knocks of 21 off 27 balls by Ryan Shepherd, while Shane Hyland chipped in with twelve runs.

However, with a partnership between the two looking likely Chorley broke through when Ryan Shepherd was run out.

Kendal then lost a cluster of wickets as Wes Fernando and Shane Hyland both fell to former Kendal player Saeed Bariwala before Richard Herron and Gary Baker were both run out as Kendal were left on 155-8.

Tom Bailey led the Kendal recovery as he posted a stunning knock of 42 off just 26 balls. Bailey hitting four sixes in a blistering display of batting.

Kendal skipper Chris Miller also chipped in with sixteen runs off fifteen balls before Chorley dismissed the pair as Bailey picked out Ian Dickinson off Keiran McCullough' delivery, with Chris Miller being caught by Andy Holdsworth off Edwin Moulton.

The hosts all out for 203 in 49.2 overs.

Chorley' reply started steadily before Tom Bailey claimed the scalp of Stuart Naden as Gary Baker collected the catch.

The visitors though recovered and raced to 119 as sub professional Bilhal Khiljee and Andy Holdsworth dominated.

Chris Ngoepe finally broke the dominant partnership as Holdsworth fell for 62 off just 89 balls.

Kendal then got into the contest as Tom Bailey went on to return figures of 6-51, as Ian Dickinson, Jack Bentham, Saeed Bariwala, Will Harvey and Ed Moulton were all dismissed by the Lancashire star.

However Bilal Khiljee remained unmoved as he guided Chorley home in the 50th over as he claimed a century finishing on 103 off 126 balls as Kendal fell to defeat.

Chorley closed on 204-7 in 49.3 Overs.