Darwen make it five from five
Darwen's matchwinner Alex Davies survives an early scare against Jimmy Lee
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Blackpool became the first team to qualify for Finals Day in the Jamie Heywood Twenty20 sponsored by Latham Baxendale after they beat Fleetwood by four wickets at Stanley Park.
Paul Danson's side reached Finals Day for the third season in the last four after earning their third win in as many games in this season's competition.
Fleetwood reached 109/9 in their 20 overs, Adam Sharrocks making 25, Adam Parker 24 and Neil Jackson making a valuable 19 after they had slumped to 59/6. Blackpool pro Con de Lange took 3/14 and Steven Mercer 2/20.
After losing openers John Mounsey and De Lange early in their reply Blackpool were indebted to Michael Moore (26 off 38 balls ) and Craig Brown (35 off 37 balls).
Prashant Aga hit 18 and Richard Gleeson was 12 not out as Blackpool reached their target with nine balls in hand, Parker taking 2/14.
On Finals Day Blackpool will meet the winners of South 2 Group in the second semi-final.
Barring a late reversal of form their opponents looks likely to be Darwen who recorded their fifth win in as many games against Chorley at Windsor Park. Darwen's victory margin was 60 runs.
Opener and wicketkeeper Alex Davies hit a classy 59 off 38 balls with four fours and three sixes as Darwen reached an imposing 149/7, Neil Cordingley making 28. Chorley pro Gaurav Dhar took 3/24 and Ian Oakes 3/27.
Darwen opener Alex Davies hits out against Chris Harty
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In reply Chorley laboured to 89 despite opener Alex Weetman hitting two huge sixes before Darwen skipper John Cordingley dismissed Matthew Critchley with a caught and bowled off the last ball of the innings.
Chorley opener Alex Weetman hits Darwen's Kamran Anwar for 6
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After Neil Cordingley's hostile opening spell of 1/9 off four overs spinner Chris Clarke weighed in with 3/10 including a wicket maiden. Clarke's wiles enticed Adam Peacock and Dhar into stumpings by the impressive Davies.
Chorley skipper Andy Holdsworth holds a skier to dismiss Kamran Anwar
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In order to qualify Leyland need to win their last three games, including their return at Darwen and also better Darwen's run-rate. They kept alive their faint hopes by beating Preston by five wickets at West Cliff.<
Preston struggled to 103 all out off 19.4 overs, David Fisher taking 3/17 against his former club.
Chris Parkinson's unbeaten 28 helped Leyland reach their target with three overs in hand despite Yasin Patel's spell of 2/18.
Holders Netherfield meanwhile open their campaign at Kendal next Tuesday (21 June) and then host Barrow two days later at Parkside Road in North One Group.
The winners of North Two Group will host Finals Day with Morecambe and Carnforth vying for that honour
Blackpool v Fleetwood
Blackpool won by 4 wickets
Fleetwood 109/9 (20 overs), Blackpool 113/6 (18.3 overs)
Chorley v Darwen
Darwen won by 80 runs
Darwen 149/7 (20 overs) (A Davies 59), Chorley 89 (20 overs)
Preston v Leyland
Leyland won by 5 wickets
Preston 103 (19.4 overs), Leyland 107/5 (17 overs)
