After the rain last Saturday completely washed out the Northern Premier League programme, the weather relented sufficiently for Blackpool to play Preston in the semi-final of the Furness Building Society on Sunday when they suffered a six wicket defeat.

Batting first, Blackpool were put to the sword by Lukman Vahaluwala who took 5 for 23 including one spell of three wickets in fourballs.

Blackpool collapsed to 47 for 6 with only opener Adrian Darlington able to cope with the Preston attack, standing firm for 88 balls to score 61.

The innings recovered slightly as Blackpool limped to 133 all out.

Veteran Manoj Parekh came in to the Preston side as a late substitute and took 3 for 29.

In reply Preston lost opener Sajid Patel off the first ball, but pro Bilal Asad kept them on the right track carrying his bat for 70 in 84 balls hitting six fours and two sixes as Preston reached their target in 34 overs.

Blackpool host Darwen in the league on Saturday while St Annes are at home to Barrow and Fleetwood visit Preston.