TWO rearranged matches in consecutive days, after just over a month since the previous game, provided a mixed return for Leigh Under 15's in their quest for the league title.

The first proved to be a comprehensive victory over Orrell, achieved despite the absence of two or three regulars, for whom younger but very capable replacements did the team proud.

After being invited to bat, Orrell could manage only 35 all out in 13 overs, having been taken apart firstly by the spin of young Mattie McKiernan with 5 wickets for 13 in his five over spell, followed by a devastating 4 wickets for no runs in just two overs by Kieran Grundy.

Five players clean bowled, one lbw, plus two stumpings and a catch for wicketkeeper Michael Waywell gives fine evidence of the accuracy of the bowling.

An opportunity was then taken to give batting practice to two other young players, the Matthew's Schleiner and Hibbert, and though three wickets were lost, with Schleiner finishing on 16 not out, the Orrell score was passed in the 9th over, just in time to avoid the thunderstorm that would otherwise have wiped out the game.

The following night provided a much closer encounter, with Leigh yet again failing against local rivals Westleigh, unfortunately a now regular occurrence.

Once more defying the prevailing weather, with storm clouds and thunder all around but thankfully not over the ground, Leigh batted first for a total of 99 for 4 in 20 overs.

A slow wicket and outfield, combined with some tight bowling and fielding by the home team, made scoring difficult, but the eventual total, whilst modest, seemed defendable in the conditions. Alex Roussak top scored with 29, with other double figure contributions of 18 not out from Bradley Houghton, and 14 from Tim Edwards, caught off the last ball of the innings.

The Westleigh reply started slowly, but wickets did not fall, and a couple of dropped catches left them well placed to accelerate, despite only 31 runs from the first ten overs. With 46 needed from the last 6, Leigh seemed to have the upper hand, but a late onslaught destroyed their resistance as Westleigh won the game off the last ball of the penultimate over by 7 wickets, leaving the visitors in disarray.

This result sets up a tantalising finish to the League, with these two sides plus Hindley all able to achieve 24 points, depending upon results. Should Leigh, however, beat Hindley in their final match, all other permutations are irrelevant.