DARLEY bats faltered at the chance to close the gap on the Ballarat Cricket Association first grade top six in a 71-run defeat to Napoleons-Sebastopol at the weekend.
Darley sent the home team in at Napoleons Turf and held its opponent to 6-175.
But single-figure scores for the Darley top three and regular wickets through the middle-order left the visitors nowhere near the required run rate, making just 7-104 off the allocated 45 overs in reply.
Peter Moore (2-12) was Darley's only wicket-taker, while Matt Cape's 30 made him top scorer.
Darley is fifth in first grade with 21 points, nine behind fourth-placed Golden Point and third-placed Mt Clear.
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