IT WAS a tremendous weekend for Blackpool in the Northern Premier League as they won both their games and went to the top of the table.

On Monday at St Annes Paul Danson led the side magnificently as well as taking an excellent 3-15 in St Annes total of 159-9 to which Danny Hagen was the highest contributor with 32. Blackpool then cruised to victory by eight wickets with 10 overs spare - Steven Croft 55 not out from 91 balls with six fours, and Tim Barry, 44 not out, took them to 160-2.

This followed Saturday's easy win over Leyland who were bowled out for just 141 at Stanley Park and with Croft having an excellent all-round afternoon with 4-44 and 61 they won by seven wickets at 145-3. Steve Mercer made 59 not out.

Fleetwood defeated the early League leaders on Saturday as they held Preston to 215-5 with Raouf Akbar making a top score of 66 not out with four sixes and three fours from only 58 balls. Michael Dewhurst then maintained his early season form with 50 and skipper John Wright sealed the win by five wickets with a sparkling 85 not out from 95 balls with seven fours. Fleetwood had a free day on Monday. On Saturday St Annes could only draw with Leyland Motors who posted an impressive 239 to which Atif Ashraf contributed 129 and in which Steve Twist took 5-52. Thankfully for St Annes Joe Davies made 71 with one six and six fours to see St Annes to a draw at 197-8.

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

Division One -- Barrow 159, *Morecambe 296/5 3-15 pts; Blackpool 145/3, *Leyland 141 12-2 pts; Chorley 119, *Netherfield 172 4-15 pts; Fleetwood 216/5, *Preston 215/5 12-5 pts; *Lancaster 277/2, Kendal 189/5 9-4 pts; Leyland Motors 239, St Annes 197/8 10-8 pts.

Division Two -- *Kendal 101, Lancaster 102/3 1-12 pts; *Leyland 195/6, Blackpool 148/7 10-4 pts; *Morecambe 211/6, Barrow 170/8 10-5 pts; *Netherfield 219/3, Chorley 220/7 6-12 pts; Preston 130/9, *Fleetwood 183 5-11 pts; *St Annes 184/5, Leyland Motors 102 15-2 pts.