AN ENTHRALLING game at a chilly Windsor Park saw Netherfield pick up a winning draw against hosts Chorley.

Visiting professional Bevan Small was the star of the show, his impressive knock of 83 off 90 balls taking Netherfield close on 193-6.

Chorley battled back in their reply with South African overseas amateur and skipper Andy Holdsworth’s second wicket partnership of 103 edging them into the driving seat.

But once Joel Blain picked up the wicket of Van Zyl who fell for 65, Chorley’s challenge faded and Scott Clement grabbed three wickets as they fell just short on 186 for 7.

Netherfield skipper Ben Barrow lost the toss and his side were asked to bat, and Barrow and Josh Dixon posted an economical first wicket stand of 25.

Chorley broke the partnership when Jim Lee bowled Barrow for 14 before home pro Chamikara Edirisinghe bowled Finlay Richardson to reduce Netherfield to 46-2.

Small and Dixon added 62 but just as Netherfield looked set to push on, Dixon was snapped up by keeper Harry Barclay off Grav Dhar.

Brad Earl the fell to Edirisinghe while Joe Barker bowled Lewis Edge for a steady 21 as the game ebbed and flowed.

But Small then took charge, posting six fours and three sixes to ease the visitors to a challenging 193 for 6.

Chorley’s reply started well and though Alex Howarth fell to Robbie Dwyer with the score on 45, van Zyl and Holdsworth’s fine second wicket stand of 103 looked to be setting up a home win.

However, the big hitting South African’s departure proved to be the turning point and Marc Hadwin caught and bowled Will Moulton while Clement picked up the wickets of Edirisinghe and Kyle Dixon.

Matt Jackson then removed Lancashire second XI regular Ed Moulton and Clement trapped former Chorley pro Dhar lbw, and though Holdsworth battled to the end, he just failed to get Chorley over the line.

The visitors picked up 10 points from the winning draw to go a point clear at the top of the table.

Their title challenge continues with a home clash against Garstang on Saturday.

Netherfield Seconds remain second from bottom in Palace Shield Division One B after losing by 5 wickets to Garstang.

Netherfield were restricted to 138-9 off 45 overs, Theo Gallagher top scoring with 51 and Gary Baker contributing 36.

And though Samuel Medhurst returned tidy figures of 2-40, Garstang edged home in 43.3 overs for the loss of five wickets.