EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Newcastle University student Ben Harrison slammed his first half century for Preston but rain robbed them of their third victory of the season against Fleetwood at Broadwater.

Put in to bat, the Mann brothers - Paul and Antony - gave Preston a solid foundation with a 35-runs partnership for the first wicket.

Paul was caught by Nic Coultas off opening pace bowler Neil Gregson for 24 and six runs later Antony was caught by Shawn Nicolson, the Fleetwood professional, off the same bowler for 14.

Harrison and Paul Paynter redressed the balance with a 117-runs partnership for the third wicket in 72 minutes, before Harrison was bowled by Mike Clinning for 51, leaving Preston on 158-3.

Half the Preston side had been dismissed for 164 when Paynter was run out for 60.

He batted 85 minutes and hit 7 fours off 82 balls.

Young Harrison had batted 79 minutes, faced 74 balls and hit 7 fours in his fine knock.

Manoj Parekh chipped in with 27 before being bowled by Clinning and departed with the score on 198-7.

The tail wagged and the Preston innings ended on 210-9.

In reply, Preston got an early breakthrough when 16-year-old James Anyon had Coultas caught by Asif Bukhari without opening his account, leaving Fleetwood 4 for one.

Nicolson and Clinning retrieved the situation with a 77-runs partnership for the second wicket before the latter was bowled by Harrison for 34.

The third Fleetwood wicket fell at 92 when Nicolson was bowled by Zubaire Patel for 51 after 78 minutes and 9 fours off 55 balls.

Patel took his second wicket when he had John Wright caught by Paynter for 23, with the Fleetwood score on 109-4.

Eight runs later, with Tony Hesketh undefeated with 9 and Dave Latus yet to get off the mark, the rain descended from the Irish Sea and brought a premature ending to the day's proceedings.

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