SATURDAY'S bad weather meant that the start of Leigh CC's match against Ormskirk was delayed until 3.30 and the visitors elected to field first no doubt hoping that the damp conditions would help their bowlers.

This was not to be the case as Leigh's in form openers Steve Mullaney and Dave Dove made another impressive start to the innings.

Mullaney batted particularly well as he mercilessly hammered any loose deliveries and scored 56 including 3 sixes and 6 fours. He was given cultured support by his captain who was first man out for 22 with the total on 79.

The Ormskirk bowling was held together by the redoubtable Phil Unsworth who kept one end going in his own inimitable style while giving little away. The other bowlers suffered badly however, in particular spinner Farell who was forced to concede 17 runs off the only over he bowled.

It was not until Bailey came on to bowl that Unsworth got the support that he deserved but Gareth Cross (17) battled hard and helped Leigh to 136 for 5. Several of the lower order batsmen got themselves out trying to force the pace and the declaration came at 150 for 9, leaving the visitors 40 minutes plus 20 overs to bat.

Unsworth bowled throughout the innings and got his just rewards by taking 5 for 43 off 22 overs. Bailey bowled well and claimed 4 for 56 off 15 overs.

Accurate bowling by Ronnie Davis and Greg Jennings had Ormskirk tied down from the start as they struggled to 17 for 4 after 17 overs. Jennings added to his impressive list of recent victims by bowling high scoring Australian opener Vaughan Williams and once he departed, Ormskirk's sights were set firmly on a draw.

They achieved this comfortably as the Leigh bowlers failed to extract much life from the wicket and the game petered out with the visitors ending up on 67 for 4. Jennings's 10 overs earned him 2 for 18 and Davis had 1 for 8 off his 9 overs. It was unfortunate that, after being the only side to play any positive Cricket, Leigh gained only three bonus points against their opponents' four.

The cricket committee wishes to sincerely thank Genlec Electrical Contractors for their invaluable support in sponsoring the game.

Despite the weather and the result, we hope the group and their guests had an afternoon as enjoyable as their appeared to have!

Sunday's Littlewood's Gaming Knockout Trophy match against Formby produced another feast of runs for the Leigh batsmen with Dove continuing his outstanding form by scoring 78 off 103 balls.

Lancashire star Tim Rees also went well as he moved sweetly to 55 and figured in a 121 second wicket stand with Dove after Mullaney had been dismissed for 23.

Good contributions from Cross (20), Zammit (16) and Steve Williams (17 not out) helped the score along to a healthy 238 for 7 off the allotted 45 overs. Formby's best bowler was O'Connor with 3 for 38.

Formby's target was reduced to 196 off 37 overs because of two showers of rain and while Australian opener Brendan McDonald was at the wicket they were in with a chance of winning the game.

He was eventually caught off the bowling of Jennings for a splendid 80 including a dozen firmly struck boundaries and, in spite of late order heroics by Dutton (25 not out), Leigh won by nine runs as their opponents were all out for 186 in the last over. Jennings continued to impress by taking a remarkable 6 for 40 off 9 overs and regular wicketkeeper Cross once again displayed his versatility by finishing the game with 2 for 25 off 7 overs.

Leigh travel to New Brighton for a league game on Saturday and on Sunday they face a long trip to Kendal for a Thwaites Lancashire Knockout Trophy clash.

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ATURDAY'S rain affected league match against Ormskirk was one of those unfortunate situations where, having lost the toss and been put into bat, it can be almost impossible to force the win.

So it proved, as we took early wickets which meant that Ormskirk played for the draw and we only had just over 30 overs to bowl them out. Earlier, I thought Steve Mullaney struck the ball really well in his half century and helped us post a total of 150. Despite efforts to get the pitch fit, and taking the initiative in the game, we only picked up three bonus points, a harsh reflection of our domination.

Again on Sunday, the weather did its best to go against us as rain interruptions reduced Formby's target to 197 from 37 overs as opposed to their original target of 239 from 45 overs.

I was pleased with the batting contributions from the top of the order to achieve a very decent total, but it was Greg Jennings who proved what rewards can be achieved by bowling straight and generally putting it in the right areas which helped us claim victory. His figures of 6 for 40 reflect not just his efforts on Sunday, but reward his growing ability and consistency.

Thirds have to hurry to beat Oxton - and weather

THE Third XI's home fixture against Oxton was kindly hosted by Westleigh Cricket Club as Leigh's First XI had a cup fixture at the Beech Walk ground.

On what started out as a perfect day for cricket, Oxton's captain elected to bat first after their recent successes in other fixtures where they had been posting totals around the 250 mark.

Leigh's opening bowlers, Ross Shepherd and Kieran Grundy, contained Oxton to only 16 runs off their opening nine overs which was a real boost to the rest of the team.

Encouraged by the excellent start brothers Alex and Adam Roussak took over. Adam, the elder of the two, struck in his first over when a catch was taken at short leg by Nick Jones. He continued to bowl well in his spell of six overs but brother Alex at the other end struggled to drop the ball on the right length. After a difficult start he eventually got to grips with the conditions and started to pick up wickets. He eventually ended his stint with 5 for 45 off 12 overs, with some excellent catching helping his cause.

With Oxton all out for 94 Leigh were confident they would get the runs needed but as the weather suddenly deteriorated the chase began to take on an extra urgency.

Steven Young and Alex Roussak opened the innings but Young was unlucky to get a 'shooter' which trapped him leg before. Roussak also went cheaply which brought together the in form middle order batsmen Nick Jones and Paul Blackburn.

With one eye on the weather they pushed the score along at a good rate but unfortunately Jones perished on 36, again to a ball that kept low. At this stage the match was all but won and it only needed Pete Taylor and Blackburn to knock off the last 20 runs which they did in two overs. Blackburn was the main contributor in the partnership and he ended up with 50 not out after hitting a six to win the match.