PRESTON were denied a possible victory when rain stopped play at Darwen on Saturday when the game was evenly poised.

After the home side had posted a score of 200 for 8 Preston looked on course to reach victory before the match was abandoned when they were on 132/4.

Leyland Motors had better luck as they were able to seal a win at home to Blackpool. Motors posted a score of 161 and then dismissed the visitors for just 115.

Sadly the weekend saw another heavy defeat for Leyland who bowled out for 142 at Morecambe after the home side had scored a massive 276/6.

The Fox Lane club are now 59 points adrift at the foot of the table although they enjoyed a bit of luck on Sunday when they defeated Chorley in the Thwaites' Smooth Bitter League Cup - on the toss of a coin after rain forced the match to be cancelled.

Preston suffered a seven wicket defeat at the hands of Darwen after they could only post a total of 104.

Leyland Motors were beaten by 13 runs at home to Kendal.