CHORLEY made a strong Morecambe team fight every inch of the way for their 12 points.

Batting first, Chorley were hugely indebted to captain Nigel Heaton, who compiled a classy 78 before being run out.

Only Tom Smith (20) of the other batsmen reached double figures, while Morecambe paceman Peter Stephens bowled superbly to finish with 6-55.

Tom Smith quickly removed both Morecambe's openers and Chorley professional John had his opposite number Ramesh Powar caught behind for 17 to leave the visitors 48-3.

Clough and captain Thornton added 80 but Clough's dismissal saw five wickets tumble for just 12 runs, Thornton bowled by Bill Smith for 60 -- 50 of which came in boundaries.

Errington though finally calmed Morecambe's jitters, clubbing the winning boundary to keep Morecambe top of the table.

Northern Premier Lge

CHORLEY 143

MORECAMBE 144-8

Chorley 2pts, Morecambe 12pts

CHORLEY

T Smith c Gudgeon b Stephens...20

I Mawdsley c Bird b Stephens...4

K Dixon c Pedder b Stephens...1

W Heaton run out...78

J Catterall c and b Maje...2

S John c Gates b Stephens...4

N Senior lbw Stephens...8

M Richardson c Clough b Stephens...0

I Oakes c Maje b Powar...2

B Smith not out...5

A Holdsworth b Powar...3

Extras...16

Total (all out, 54.4 overs)...143

Bowling: P Stephens 23-7-55-6; G Make 16-4-31-1; R Powar 14.4-1-43-2.

MORECAMBE

M Woodhead lbw T Smith...4

A Bird c and b T Smith...5

T Clough c Holdsworth b Dixon...29

R Powar c Senior b John...17

P Thornton b B Smith...60

G Pedder c T Smith b John...6

S Errington not out...10

G Maje run out...0

D Gudgeon lbw John...0

P Stephens not out...0

Extras...13

Totasl (8wkts, 49.2 overs)...144

Bowling: S John 19-11-22-3; T Smith 12-4-25-2; B Smith 11.2-0-40-1; A Holdsworth 4-1-18-0; I Oakes 1-0-11-0; K Dixon 2-0-15-1.