A SUPERB victory at Blackpool has put Preston at the top of the Northern Premier League, for the first time in more than 20 years, two points clear of second placed Morecambe.

Recently arrived professional Rauf Akbar was the pick of the bowlers taking four wickets for 64 runs.

The victory sets them up nicely for the double header against Leyland at the weekend, in the league at Fox Lane on Saturday and in the National Knockout at home on Sunday. The Fox Lane club side fell to an eight wicket defeat at Fleetwood after they could only set up a meagre target of 114 with Vahalouala making 70 of those runs.

Ashraf was the star for Leyland Motors, scoring a century in their fine 84 run victory at home to Lancaster. Rounding was equally as impressive with the ball taking five wickets for just 11 runs with Prince also bowliing well to take four for 25. All league matches on Saturday were abandoned early due to the rain although the Darwen v Lancaster match could not take place anyway as the umpires did not turn up.

Northern Premier League results for Monday's matches.

Division One: *Chorley 163/8, St Annes 114/7 (9-4 pts); Fleetwood 116/2, *Leyland 114/6 (12-0 pts); *Leyland Motors 194/9, Lancaster 110 (15-4 pts); Morecambe v Kendal, no play (4-4 pts); Netherfield v Darwen, no play (4-4 pts); *Preston 175/9, Blackpool 121 (15-4 pts).

Division Two: Blackpool 69/8, *Preston 118/5 (3-7 pts); Darwen 88/2, *Netherfield 86/7 (12-0 pts); *Kendal 92, Morecambe 97/6 (1-12 pts); Lancaster 130, Leyland Motors 131/8 (3-12 pts); Leyland 69/5, *Fleetwood 68 12-2 pts; *St Annes 146, Chorley 106 15-4 pts. *Batted first.