CARNFORTH won their first game of the season against Chorley thanks to a great batting performance by opener Ryan Nelson, and an equally good bowling outing by Adam Cowperthwaite.

The North Lancashire outfit lost the toss and were asked to bat first. Things didn’t start amazingly though with Robert Parker out for four after being bowled by Kieran McCullough.

But pro Toby Bulcock came in at number three and he put on a good show with Ryan Nelson to give Carnforth a good start. Bulcock added 24 to the score when he was bowled by Billy Smith, and Darren Moore’s 21 kept the score ticking over nicely for Carnforth before he was caught by Alex Howarth off Will Moulton.

Ryan Nelson finished on 66, Gaurav Dhar claiming his wicket, but just as good a batting performance came from Matt Weller. He contributed 27 not out at number 11 to bolster Carnforth’s score to an impressive 187-9 off their allotted 50 overs, with 15 of their runs coming from extras.

Adam Cowperthwaite and Bulcock were in rude form with the ball in hand, with the former claiming early wickets in the shape of opening batsmen Andrew Holdsworth (five) and Adam Peacock (one).

Cowperthwaite and Bulcock combined to get five Chorley players out for a duck as Cowperthwaite claimed 6-48 and Bulcock 2-44, the pro producing eight maidens from his 15 overs, to get the away side all out for 124 off 38.3 overs.

Dhar provided solid resistance, hitting a knock of 56 not out from number eight, while number three Will Moulton contributed 26 from number three before Cowperthwaite bowled him out.

But Carnforth were not to be outdone and they claimed their first maximum-point success of the season.

The result lifts them off the bottom of the table above Lancaster, and level on 29 points with last year’s Northern Premier League winners St. Anne’s.

Carnforth take on Lancashire Colts this Sunday.