STANLEY Park was hardly fit for cricket on Saturday after the excessive rain of the previous week but by 2.45pm it was deemed dry enough to start a reduced-overs game against Preston.

There followed one of the more bizarre games of cricket seen in these parts for some time.

Preston batted first and made a very modest 129-8 from their 42 overs but, after Blackpool looked well on track for victory, this proved too many and the home side had to settle for a draw at 116-9.

Munaf Bavla was the mainstay of the Preston innings as he made 52 and of the rest only Glenn Johnstone with 18 reached double figures as Steven Croft continued his good all-round form by taking 4-23 and there were two wickets each for Justin Kreusch and Michael Taylor as Preston closed on their 129-8.

Blackpool's reply was going well at 87-2 with Croft having made 47 and Kreusch 21. Robin Bracewell then made 26 as Blackpool reached 105-3 and then 114-5 with two overs remaining.

But the middle and late order capitulated with Prash Aga, one, Steve Metcalf, nought, Paul Danson, suicidally run out for one, and Michael Taylor, nought, all going before youngster David Baker and Karl Marsland, who safely saw out the final over, took Blackpool to an unexpected draw at 116-9.

Meanwhile Fleetwood kept their title challenge on track with a seven-wicket victory over bottom club Leyland who batted first and, on a damp track, made only 133-8 from 55 overs.

Aidan Walsh top scored with 37 and Doug Marillier took 5-35 and effected a run out while Steve Hill started the Leyland downfall with the first two wickets.

Marillier, a hard-hit 57, and Michael Clinning, a cultured 52 not out, then saw Fleetwood home at 136-3.

St Annes made only 133 at Darwen but it was enough to earn them a draw as Darwen struggled for 52 overs to reach 81-8 in reply.

Duncan Whalley made a top score of 32 for St Annes and then Stephen Twist took 4-22 as only Gareth Cordingley, who made 29, made any serious impression for the home side.