THERE'S a double-header of Northern League Cricket action this weekwnd as local league teams take advantage of Bank Holiday Monday to play an extra game.

And two of our three teams will be looking to notch up their first wins of the season after a disappointing start last weekend.

Preston play the first of two weekend games against Leyland teams at West Cliff against Leyland Cricket Club on Saturday.

Leyland were the only one of our three local sides to start the season with a victory.

Entertaining Morecambe at Fox Lane, they won a low scoring match by ten runs.

Put in to bat, Leyland were dismissed in the 48th over for 84 runs.

Neil Kenyon top scored with 21 before being bowled by John Eccles.

He was ably assisted by Leyland captain Mark Pallett who contributed 20 before being caught by Morecambe professional Ashwell Prince off the visitors' opening pace bowler Peter Stephens.

Only professional Neil Rimmer with ten managed to get into double figures besides Pallett.

Morecambe pace bowler Peter Stephens bowled half with overs and took 6 for 38.

John Eccles supported him with 3 for 10.

The Leyland pace attack of Neil Rimmer and Steven Pallett had Morecambe reeling at 7 for 5.

Then David Greenwood and Phil Thornton added 35 runs for the sixth wicket before the former was bowled by Neil Kenyon for 11.

Thornton tried to blast his way to victory and when he departed with the visitors score on 63 for 8 he had made 37, which included 5 fours and 2 sixes.

Leyland professional Neil Rimmer bowled magnificently to take 6 for 21 from 14 overs, while his opening bowling partner Steven Pallett took 3 for 18 from 14 overs.

Preston were easily beaten by current league champions Netherfield by eight wickets.

Put in to bat, Antony and Paul Mann put on 30 for the first wicket before Antony was run out for 7.

His brother Paul was never out with the score on 41, bowled by Geoff Foley, Netherfield's new professional from Queensland, for 23.

Half the Preston side were dismissed for 68 when Manoj Parekh was caught by David Otway off Foley for 14.

Preston lost their last five wickets for 24 and were dismissed for 92 in the 46th over.

Netherfield raced to victory in the 23rd over for the loss of only two wickets.

Martin Lewis top scored with 38 and Jimmy Moyes chipped in with 34.

Leyland Daf put up a better performance against Blackpool at Stanley Park, despite being beaten by five wickets.

Batting first, Daf reached 143 for 6 from their allotted 50 overs.

Duncan Catterall top scored with an unbeaten 85.

His innings lasted 176 minutes and he hit 6 fours off 153 balls.

Marcus Sharp was the pick of the Blackpool bowlers, taking 5 for 44 off 19 overs.

Blackpool claimed their victory in the 44th over with Robin Bracewell carrying his bat for 54.

His innings lasted 162 minutes and he hit 7 fours off 181 balls.

He was ably supported by Geoff Armstrong who made 35 before being bowled by Stuart Catterall and Pat Newell with an undefeated 21.

Stuart Catterall with his off-spinners was the pick of the Leyland Daf bowling attack and he took 3 for 25 from eleven overs.

Looking forward to this Saturday, South Meadow Lane sees a local derby between Preston and Leyland.

The visitors must fancy their chances of another victory after their great start to the season.

Leyland Daf have a tougher task at Sandy Lane where they entertain St Annes.

Monday sees a full programme of fixtures for the May Day bank holiday: Darwen v Leyland, Fleetwood v Kendal, Lancaster v Blackpool. Leyland Daf v Preston, Netherfield v Morecambe, St Annes v Chorley.

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