LEIGH Fourths, without a win so far this season, travelled to Formby Thirds, knowing that an exceptional performance would be needed to break the home side's 100 per cent record.

Unfortunately, it was not to be the day of the underdog and Formby extended their winning run.

Having been invited to bat, Formby lost a wicket in the second over to Andrew Thomason, but then a stand of 137 for the second wicket took their score to 145 in the 22nd over.

Leigh's young bowlers had struggled to gain the upper hand, and it was stand-in skipper Rob Clews who finally broke the partnership with the wicket of McGreevey. Another wicket in quick succession by Anthony Bentham gave Leigh brief hope of recovery, but a further 51 partnership which saw D Jones match McGreevey's 71 before succumbing to Clews, took Formby past 200 in the 34th over. The declaration came at 218 for 7 in the 36th, giving Leigh three valuable bowling points.

Half an hour's play was possible before tea, which saw Leigh take their score to 29 for the loss of Matthew Schleiner, but the form of Stuart McLean was encouraging in setting the scene for a perhaps optimistic run chase, with plenty of overs remaining.

However, something in the tea seemed to change the visitors' luck and wickets started to fall, including that of McLean for what proved to be Leigh's top score of 21. There was some resistance from Bradley Houghton, with an innings of 13, briefly accompanied by Rob Clews with 9, but Formby skipper Pretsall effectively won the game with 8 for 37 from an unbroken spell of 11 overs, as Leigh were dismissed for 73.

Leigh will have better days, but there was no disgrace in losing to this very strong Formby side.