THERE were celebrations at West Cliff when Preston recorded their first home win of the season with a four wickets victory over neighbours Leyland.

This win has taken them off the bottom of the table and are now in joint tenth place with Leyland.

Leyland DAF are now bottom of the table for the first time this season, two points adrift of Preston and Leyland.

Preston chairman David Wilson said "We always play better in the second half of the season and it's a pity that there aren't more games to play other than two."

Preston have a tough task against league leaders Netherfield at Parkside Road on Saturday, while Leyland entertain current league champions St. Annes, which will provide them with a tough challenge.

Leyland batted first and lost their first two wickets with only 8 runs on the board.

Their professional captain Paul Tebay was caught behind by Paul Mann off Roger kaye for five.

Then Lee Hayes was run for three. Craig Gardiner and mark Pallett added 24 runs for the third wicket before Gardiner was caught for seven.

The fourth wicket fell when Mark Pallett was caught behind for 16.

Half the Leyland team were dismissed for 47 when John Waddington was caught behind by Paul Mann off Paul Richardson for eleven.

Five runs later went Mark Swann and then Steve Pallett was stumped for five.

Then Chris Sim and Paul Haydock added 42 runs before Sim was run out for 22. The tail wagged and added 20 runs before Leyland were dismissed for 122. Preston professional Manos Parekh bowled half the overs to take 3 for 50.

The home side started disasterously, losing two wickets for only 3 runs.

Antony Mann was caught for nought then Nick Holt was caught without opening his account. The third Preston wicket fell at 9 when Jon Fleetwood went for three.

Paul Mann and Lee Kearsly notched up 2 before the Lee was run out for ten.

Then came an excellent 58 runs partnership for the fifth wicket between Preston captain Graham Standring and Paul Mann, before the captain was run out for 37.

Man of the Match Paul Mann scored 121. Preston got home to victory with four balls to spare in the last over.

Leyland DAF crashed to the bottom of the table when Blackpool beat them by 63 runs at Sandy Lane.

Blackpool, batting first, made 190 for 7 from their allotted overs.

In reply, Leyland DAF were dismissed for 127 with Charlie Williams, in an unusual role of opener, top scoring with 47.

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