E.D.S. Leigh CC's tough start to the season against their arch-rivals Bootle resulted in an agonisingly narrow defeat in a Knockout Cup game which followed a similar pattern to last year's critical league defeat against the same opposition.

After a see-saw game, the Beech Walk side disappointingly lost by one run in the final over after having set up a winning position. They now have a lot to do to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Liverpool Competition Premier League Knockout Trophy.

Bootle elected to bat first in perfect conditions but soon ran into trouble in the form of a characterisically fierce opening spell from Ronnie Davis. He removed visiting skipper Ian Cockbain for a duck with the last ball of the first over and followed this by bowling ex-Lancs star Graham Lloyd for four.

Bootle's other danger man Richard Hignett, however, was quickly into his stride scoring 31 off only 24 balls including three sixes before being brilliantly caught in the deep by Pedrola off the bowling of Dave Potter.

With the score on 42 -4, the vastly experienced John Hitchmough and the talented Gavin Reynolds set about regaining the initiative and gradually got their side back in the game. Their fine 92 run partnership was only ended when Paul Vallance returned to have Reynolds caught by Davis for 41. Hitchmough then took control and with some powerful shots through the mid wicket area helped to guide his side to a highly respectable total of 214-8 off their 45 overs scoring 64 off 84 balls with the tailenders making useful contributions after his dismissal.

Ronnie Davis returned to the attack to finish with a superb 3-18 off 9 overs. His best support came from his debutant opening partner Vallance whose left arm seamers helped him to claim 3-40 including the wicket of Hitchmough. Their were also good spells from Potter (2-42) and Greg Jennings (0 -16 off six excellent overs).

Stylish start

Leigh's innings was given a stylish start by Andy Batterley (20) and Steven Mullaney (30) neither of whom looked unduly bothered by the visitors' bowling as they took the score to 48. The score had reached 78 off 17 overs when Tim Rees was adjudged lbw and this brought together Heath Pedrola and Gareth Cross who produced the best partnership of the innings. They took the score to 135 before Pedrola was dismissed for an exciting 55 off 55 balls including three huge sixes and five fours.

Cross batted intelligently to total 30 and helped the score along to 179 in partnership with Davis. At this point, Leigh required 36 to win with 11 overs remaining and with Davis in fine form, appeared to be coasting. Davis's brilliant 41, however, was not enough to take his side to victory as the other lower order batsmen failed to establish themselves.

It was left to Chris Melia to make a brave attempt to pull the game out of the fire but he had to take one risk too many and was caught out in the last over as Bootle got out of jail at Leigh's expense once again. Chris Sainsbury claimed 3-40 and their was another miserly spell of left arm spin bowling from Robin Fisher.

Leigh now travel to Wallasey this Saturday to take on the league champions desperately in need of a win to maintain their interest in the competition.