Lancashire Northern Division Two

Thornton Cleveleys 0, Chorley RUFC 5

(match abandoned)

CHORLEY'S trip to league leaders Thornton Cleveleys on Saturday, turned out to be a wasted journey when the match was abandoned after half-time due to deteriorating conditions.

For 50 minutes Chorley looked the better side, dominating the forward battle and coping well with the wet and muddy conditions in the backs.

But the pitch defeated both teams in the end -- turning in to a quagmire and, with two Chorley players injured, the referee decided it was safer all round to abandon the game. Chorley took the game to Thornton from the off, their forwards piling in to ruck and maul aggressively.

Pete Baxendale was unlucky with an early penalty kick and Chorley began to wonder if they would ever score when they failed to touch down two push over tries in succession.

The break-through finally came from a tap penalty by Mark Bamber -- his long pass put Steve Goodman in to space for a close range try.

By now Chorley were down to 14 men -- hooker Alcock had to leave the field with a back injury -- but were still well on top as the sides changed ends at half time.

Thornton made a good start to the second half keeping Chorley on the defensive for the first ten minutes.

But a succession of stoppages for minor injuries and then a more serious injury for Chorley skipper Dave Craven persuaded the referee and the two captains that enough was enough.

The game will be replayed at the end of the season.

Assuming conditions improve, Chorley face Littleborough at home in the league next Saturday -- kick-off 2.15pm.