THE 40 over cup competition introduces different disciplines to the longer version of the game of cricket but the Leigh Third players were unable to adapt on this occasion and came second best to a more organised Lytham side.
If the Leigh bowlers had not bowled a total of 31 wides giving Lytham an extra five overs to bat, and an opportunity to add to their score, the game could have had a different twist but Lytham took full advantage and ended with a total of 205 for 8.
Taking away the extras from the bowling analysis the performances of the Leigh bowlers were quite respectable, in particular Kieran Grundy's 1 for 31 in eight overs and new boy Umesh Patel's excellent 3 for 28 off eight.
In reply Leigh started well with an opening partnership of 40 in the first eight overs between Alex Roussak and Steven Young. It was Young who initially dominated the Lytham bowlers and when he was out the Leigh innings lost some of it's impetus. As the innings progressed it became apparent that the asking rate was becoming too great for the lower order to achieve but a defiant stand of 54 between Umesh Patel and Pete Taylor gave the Leigh side some hope before both perished in the run chase.
Ending on a disappointing 138 all out in this quarter final match Leigh failed to show the form they have maintained in the league and bowed out tamely from this competition.
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