AFTER recent disappointing results, E.D.S. Leigh CC were revitalised by a double success with opening batsman Andy Batterley leading the way as he made a welcome return to form with two spectacular innings.

The league game at Maghull featured a brilliant display of batting from Leigh but they made hard work of dismissing the home side before gaining a much needed last gasp victory.

Leigh won the toss and chose to bat first and Heath Pedrola, who had been moved up the order to open the batting, was soon into his stride scoring 20 off 19 balls out of a total of 21 before being caught behind.

Tim Rees (22) helped Batterley take the score to 83 before being caught at slip allowing Gareth Cross to make his usual forthright start by taking 15 off an over to get off the mark.

Batterley and Cross attacked at every opportunity and produced strokeplay of the highest order as they added 118 for the third wicket off 20 overs. Cross was out in the 43rd over having scored 66 off 81 balls and soon afterwards Batterley reached three figures off 111 balls.

He was out bowled in the penultimate over of the innings having scored a superb 111 including 12 fours and 3 sixes. A magnificent afternoon for the Leigh batsmen was completed by Steven Mullaney with 18 not out with the declaration being made at 241 for 4 off 50 overs.

Maghull were soon reeling at 23 for 2 with both Brendon Donkers and Ronnie Davis picking up a wicket but opener Howard (43) and Gillespie took the score to 83 before Howard was tempted down the wicket by Pedrola and stumped by Cross.

The introduction of the in form Paul Vallance to the attack then helped to bring about a rapid decline after he had bowled the stubborn Gillespie for 20. He claimed 3 for 22 off his seven overs and Maghull reached the start of the last 20 overs in big trouble at 108 for 7.

Leigh then came up against stern opposition from the lower order batsmen with Forrest (24) and Griffin (32) adding 44 for the ninth wicket with the help of several missed catches before Donkers dismissed Forrest with nine balls of the innings remaining. Davis bowled the last over and, much to his team's relief, finally broke Maghull's resistance by bowling Griffin off the next to the last ball of the match with 180 runs on the scoreboard.

Leigh's first round tie in the Littlewood's Gaming Knockout Trophy at home to St Helens resulted in an overwhelming victory with Batterley again starring with the bat.

The visitors reached 166 for 6 off 45 overs (Lowe 43 n.o., Pandey 35) with Davis finishing with 0 for 13 off 9 overs, Jennings 1 for 24 off 9 and Melia 0 for 23 off 9.

The Beech Walk side cantered home for the loss of only one wicket in 26.4 overs with Batterley (80 n.o.) and Rees (47 n.o.) adding 110 after Mullaney had been dismissed for 26 with the score on 56. 112 of Leigh's 166 runs came in boundaries in another feast of run scoring.

The next visitors to Beech Walk are league champions Wallasey who are sure to be difficult opponents.