PRESTON were reduced to a miserable 47 all out on Monday by a St Annes side who found the going surprisingly easy.

The home side, batting first, were reduced to 22 for eight before a last-wicket stand took them to 47 all out after just 25.3 overs. Only acting captain Glen Johnstone reached double figures with a knock of 14 not out. St Annes bowler Joe Davies took six wickets for 22 runs and pro Dave Callaghan finished with three for 22.

St Annes lost two wickets in passing the target in 22.5 overs. Callaghan and Russ Bradley ended on 20 not out and 15 not out respectively in a game that lasted less than four hours!

On Saturday Chorley were the visitors, collecting 12 points for a narrow win against Preston.

Batting first on winning the toss, Preston were soon in trouble as Patel grabbed three quick wickets to reduce them to 11/3. Chorley bowler Marquet, not to be outdone, then trapped Anthony Mann LBW, adding injury to insult by breaking his big toe in the bargain.

Marquet picked up two more wickets and when Patel had Parekh caught behind, Preston were 65/7 with 35 overs gone.

A stand of 47 between Paul Mann and Shah revived the home side but they were finally dismissed for 119, Marquet and Patel taking four wickets each.

Chorley's innings get off to an equally dodgy start and the scoreboard soon read 41/5, but Heaton significantly was still there.

From 68/6 Horridge batting down the order helped Heaton add a vital 36 in testing conditions and after Horridge played on, Purnell joined Heaton to see Chorley home.

Heaton remained unbeaten on 58, a superb knock in very difficult circumstances in a day when there were just nine boundaries struck in the match. Attritional cricket, but a disappointing loss for Preston.