ANY hopes Memorex Leigh CC had of establishing themselves as championship contenders appear to have been shattered after an agonisingly narrow defeat at the hands of their arch rivals Bootle.

They had, however, made a spectacular start to the match after Bootle had won the toss and elected to bat first.

After a brilliant run out by skipper Dave Dove accounted for his opposite number Ian Cockbain, they were reduced to 18-4 as Ronnie Davis completed a hat-trick. With the third, fourth and fifth balls of his fourth over he bowled Reynolds and trapped Jones and Gallimore lbw.

Bootle were soon 33-5 after a repeat performance by Dove accounted for opener Hilton. He was replaced by Ian Cockbain's son who assisted Cheshire batsman Richard Hignett in a stand of 68 for the sixth wicket. Cockbain junior was eventually bowled by Dave Potter for a confident 29 and Hignett soon followed off the same bowler when he was caught at deep mid wicket immediately after completing his half century.

Bootle's last two batsmen Fisher (11) and Finegan (10no) added 21 valuable runs and had taken the score to 139 after 45.4 overs as Davis returned to finish off the innings. He finished with 4 for 40 and was well assisted by Dave Potter who produced his best spell of bowling for some time taking 3 for 22 off 11 overs.

Moved steadily

With plenty overs available, Leigh moved steadily towards their target with Andy Batterley (36) and Ronnie Davis (38) both in good form.

After Davis's dismissal at 104-4 the pressure gradually increased on the remaining batsmen as Australian paceman Kelby Pickering (4 for 30) and Cheshire left arm spinner Robin Fisher (4 for 33 off 20 overs) bowled with great accuracy.

Andy Mullaney hung around for 69 balls to score 22 but after his dismissal the other batsmen failed to come to terms with the tense situation and even Dove was tied down as he struggled to score seven off 60 balls. Leigh were dismissed just two runs short of ther opponents score after losing their last six wickets for a paltry 23 runs.

This result represented a huge disappointment after a winning position had been established and the opportunity to move above their visitors into second place in the league was lost.

The following day Leigh travelled to the Wirral to take on league leaders Wallasey in the first round of the Chelmere Homes Trophy.

Things were going quite well as Wallasey were restricted to 119-4 off 31 overs but then Zak Feather started to take the bowling apart. After scoring 29 off his first 48 balls he raced to 112 off a further 30 balls and was out with the score on 225 having shared a fifth wicket stand of 161 with Graham Reid (55). He scored 14 fours and 5 sixes and set his side up for a massive total of 259 for 9 off their allotted 45 overs.

Leigh's innings started as disastrously as the previous day's had ended and they were apparently heading for total humiliation at 19-5 in the ninth over. Then Jo Angel arrived on the scene and, after being given useful assistance by Tim McKiernan (17), Ben Cottrell (19) and debutant Patrick Travers (15), he was unlucky to be last man out just one run short of his century with the score on 192. His innings lasted 96 balls and contained 46 runs in boundaries.

Leigh now have to pull themselves together ready for a return visit to Wallasey for this weekend's league match which is certain to be another stern test.