MEMOREX Leigh CC's bowlers took a real pasting in a comprehensive 75-run defeat against last years league champions Ormskirk at Brook Lane.

There was no sign of the mayhem to come as the home side made a steady start while losing opener Glayzer for eight.

Australian Andy Robinson and stand-in captain John Armstrong, deputising for the injured David Snellgrove, progressed carefully to take the score to 71 off 24 overs which was the half way point of the innings. Leigh's efforts to break the partnership had been hampered by having to use a wet ball after a 20 minute break for rain.

From this point onwards these two batsmen proceeded to hammer the bowling to all parts of the ground, adding another 177 runs to take the total to 248 before Armstrong was caught off the last ball of the 48th over at which point he declared.

The mammoth partnership between the two left handers was worth 230 with Robinson undefeated on 138 including 15 fours and 3 sixes and Armstrong reaching 74. The only Leigh bowler to avoid heavy punishment was Jo Angel, who, although wicketless, conceded a respectable 50 runs off his 17 overs.

Leigh's openers were both back in the pavillion with only 16 on the board and progress proved difficult against some accurate seam bowling by Alan Taylor.

Run rate

Angel was subdued before being caught behind for 14 and, when Ronnie Davis was bowled for a fine 36 in the 24th over, the score was only 68 and the required run rate was over seven per over.

Positive batting by Gareth Cross (43) and Dave Dove (14) livened things up and Steve Bailey showed no signs of having been affected by his recent run of low scores as he hit a spectacular 45 off only 28 balls including 18 off one over from Steele. The remainder of the lower order batsmen got out trying in vain to score quick runs as Leigh were dismissed for 173. Taylor took 5 for 59 and young off-spinner Steele finished with 4 for 47.

There was a return to winning ways against Worsley on Monday but it was much closer than expected after a fascinating game with an exciting finish against a team anchored to the foot of the league having won only one match all season.

Leigh were given a rapid start by Steven Mullaney who scored 55 off 61 balls but it was Steve Bailey who was the star as he continued his spectacular return to form with a magnificent undefeated century. His first fifty came off 58 balls and he required only 18 more deliveries to reach 101 not out. The 44th and last over of the innings resulted in 34 runs being added to the total including 5 sixes and a two by Bailey and two no balls.

The final score was 225 for 5 declared and Bailey's innings included 11 fours and 7 sixes in all. He had been given good support by Andy Mullaney who scored 24. Visiting captain Heath Pedrola bowled superbly to take 4 for 51 off 19 overs.

Plundered

It was the Australian Pedrola who threatened to win the game for Worsley as he plundered the Leigh bowling for a superb 131 off 136 balls including 18 fours and 4 sixes. He was finally yorked by Angel after having hit him for 18 in one over and, once he had departed, Angel (5 for 62 off 21 overs) and Davis (4 for 30 off 17.3) saved Leigh's bacon by running through the visitors lower order. They were finally dismissed for 212 after having been well set at 177 for 3.

Leigh have a difficult away match on Saturday against championship contenders Bootle.