LEIGH v WALLASEY: IT was a case of so near yet so far for E.D.S. Leigh as they lost out to Wallasey in the Littlewood's Gaming Knockout Trophy Final after an agonisingly close finish.

This was the second time in two years that they had been beaten to a major trophy by the narrowest of margins by their opponents who pipped them at the post for last year's league championship.

Wallasey are acknowledged as one of the leading limited over sides in the north-west and only a fortnight ago narrowly lost out themselves to Walkden in the Lancashire Knockout final at Old Trafford.

Perfect conditions

Leigh were looking to take something from a frustrating season that has seen them too pre-occupied in avoiding getting dragged into the relegation zone and elected to bat first in perfect conditions.

They were soon in trouble, however, with the visitors having two successful lbw appeals against Heath Pedrola and Tim Rees with only 17 runs scored. This brought together two of Leigh's outastanding youngsters, Steve Mullaney and Gareth Cross who both batted sensibly to see off the threat of opening bowlers Paul Thistlewaite and Neil Doggett who both bowled their 9 over allocations in one spell.

Mullaney eventually departed caught at mid-off by Rob Turnbull off the bowling of Phil Luxon for 33 and Cross followed soon after in identical fashion having scored 32. Brendon Donkers then led the resistance against Luxon and Paul Stang who both bowled as accurately as ever. With the score on 96, Ronnie Davis was run out risking a quick single and this initiated a catastophic collapse with the last six wickets falling for the addition of only 18 runs leaving Donkers high and dry on 21 not out. Dave Dove must have been very disappointed with his side's total of 114 and even more upset that they used up only 38 of their 45 over allotment. For Wallasey, Luxon finished with 3 for 27.

There followed a magnificent effort by Leigh's bowlers who ripped through their opponents' experienced early order batting line-up to have them on the rack at 43-5 off 21 overs with tremendous opening spells from Davis and Greg Jennings providing the highlight.

Then came the all important sixth wicket stand of 52

between Zimbabwian Test star Strang who took the lead role and Hughes who defended doggedly at the other end.

The partnership was finally broken when Davis yorked Strang (56) with the score on 95 and Hughes followed 4 runs later caught off Donkers having survived 50 balls for 10. With the eighth and ninth wickets having fallen at 100 and 106 the tension had mounted to fever pitch as the last two batsmen edged towards the winning target.

A streaky top edged boundary by Thistlewaite in the penultimate over levelled the scores, and with Leigh needing to claim the final wicket to win the game on run rate over the first 25 overs of the innings, the batsmen knew that, if they survived, the game was theirs by virtue of losing fewer wickets than Leigh. They did survive and managed to score a single off the last ball of the game to ensure victory.

The home side's bowlers, who performed heroically, were all economical with Davis taking 2 for 12 off 9 overs, Donkers 2 for 12 off 7 and Jennings 2 for 24 off 9.

Leigh had prepared for the big match the previous day in tremendous fashion by overwhelming an in form Lytham side by 93 runs.

Rees (74) starred with his best score of the season with good assistance from Dove (22) to bring about a recovery from 36-4 to 167 all out on a wicket that favoured the bowlers throughout. Lytham never got going against superb bowling from Donkers (6 for 43) and Davis (3 for 29) and were skittled out for 74.

Leigh Cricket Club Captains Comments

Captain's Log

A

convincing win against Lytham on Saturday gave us the ideal preparation for Sunday's final against Wallasey.

Sunday proved to be an absolute thriller, in front of a crowd of several hundred on a beautiful sunny day.

I was disappointed to be dismissed for just 114 after being in a solid position at the half way mark. Nobody really got in to make a score and five lbw's added to most of the batsmen's misery. We bowled and fielded really well and took wickets at regular intervals to keep ourselves in with a chance. At 110 for 9 the game could have gone either way, then an edge for four put the scores level, and all they had to do was bat out the remaining few balls to win by having lost fewer wickets with the scores tied. As it happened, with all our lads round the bat, Wallasey took a single off the final ball.

While all the lads in the team were desperately disappointed to get so close but come away empty handed, I think most of them should reflect on a great team effort after posting such a modest target.

It should also be remembered that we have two 16 year old's in the side as well as two other teenagers and they have all played with great maturity and skill throughout the season. The older established players have all been great, and as a club we have all taken to our overseas man, Brendon Donkers, and wish him well in his season back in New Zealand. Heath Pedrola, who has been a high class performer for many a season, returns to Brisbane and will be a sad loss to the Liverpool Competition.

I would also like to thank all those connected with the cricket section for putting on the facilities which make Leigh such a good club, and would like to think that at least some of the supporters who turned up for Sunday's final will be encouraged to return next season to see some more thrilling cricket.

Third XI

PUT in to bat Leigh scored 229 for 7 in 37 overs with the top order all making good contributions. Paul Blackburn and Michael Bond once again laid the foundations on which Steven Young and Matthew Savka were able to build a winning total.

Steven Young made his highest score in senior cricket with a tremendous 86. Falling short of the century he deserved he was particularly brutal to the spin bowlers who tended to bowl too short giving him time to plunder the twelve fours and one six in his 76 ball innings.

Matthew Savka was also in excellent form taking 48 off 39 balls proving his capability once again. After Young departed the innings fell away a little until veteran Billy Banner took the stage. Set up perfectly for him he was able to swing the bat and put on a quick fire 24 in a stand with the ever improving youngster Andrew Potter.

Leigh declared allowing Newton enough time to have a go, which they did on the back of a very good innings from opener Kelly. He was the mainstay throughout making 110 before being the ninth wicket to fall. A tenth wicket stand of 58 between skipper Dave Boardman and the talented young spinner John Humphreys held Leigh at bay by taking the score along to 225, just 5 short of victory before Michael Bond chipped in to bowl youngster Humphreys.

The wicket was made for spin bowling which meant Alex Roussak and Billy Banner were able to pick up 4 and 5 wickets respectively with Bond snatching the tenth. The fielders backed up their bowlers by hanging on to their chances and although the game ran very close Leigh showed they never concede and battled hard throughout.

Celebrations went on late into the night in the end of season bash at the club where everyone had a last chance to celebrate. There was a particularly nice moment when the First XI players, who had just experienced their own disappointment in losing their cup final on the same day, to a man congratulated the team showing the true spirit between all the players at the club.

LCC Some Closed Season Diary Dates

Winter diary dates

Wednesday, October 1: End of Season Sportsman's Dinner: Special Main Speaker Mike Watkinson, England & Lancashire CCC. Contact club for further details.

Friday, November 7: Junior presentation, a great family night : Watch for further details for special guest appearances.

Saturday, November 22: Senior presentation: with entertainment.