AFTER another frustrating weekend, Memorex Leigh CC have now gone seven league and cup games without a win.

The start of Saturday's ECB Premier League game at Crosby against Northern was delayed until 4pm because of rain and Leigh were asked to bat first in difficult conditions.

They were soon in all sorts of trouble against some lively bowling from Doggett and Unsworth and were reduced to 18-5 after 15 overs.

It was left to Steve Bailey and Jo Angel to bring about a remarkable recovery with a partnership of 120. Bailey finished undefeated with a superb 63 including nine 4s and one 6 and, after Angel was dismissed for 51, the declaration was made at 138-6 off 48.4 overs leaving the home side with just 19 overs to bat.

They set off at a good rate and reached 37 off 7 overs before the first wicket fell. Their Australian Under 19s and New South Wales star, Vaughan Williams was, however, given a torrid time by Angel who trapped him lbw for 8. After his dismissal at 42 for 3, Northern were content to play out time and the match was abandoned due to bad light with only one more run added after 16.1 overs.

Restricted

The Thwaites Lancashire Knockout Cup first round match against Chorley saw Dave Dove lose the toss for the eighth time in nine games and Leigh were again asked to bat first. Some tight bowling and keen fielding restricted them to 34 for 1 off the first 22 overs with the scoring rate badly in need of acceleration.

This was brought about mainly by another excellent innings from opener Ronnie Davis who scored 65 including five 4s and two 6s. He was well supported by Dove with 29 and other useful contributions by the middle order to help his side reach a respectable 168-8 off their allotted 45 overs.

Chorley were in trouble at 43 for 4 in the 17th over but this brought together professional, John, and wicketkeeper, Senior, who gradually ceased the initiative. With rain falling steadily, the Leigh bowlers were hampered by having to use a wet ball and were not helped by several fielding lapses.

Leigh tried numerous bowling changes and used seven bowlers in all to try to break this partnership before Senior was eventually run out for a 27 with the score on 135. John, however, steered his side home to victory without further loss having scored an aggressive 81 including seven 4s and three 6s to complete another unsuccessful weekend for the Beech Walk side.