SUPERB all-round performances by their two Australian born players, Ronnie Davis and Jo Angel, helped Memorex Leigh CC to a 34 run victory at Maghull and a maximum points haul.

On the first ever visit by their 1st XI to Maghull, Leigh were happy to bat first on a good looking wicket after winning the toss and were given a sound start by a half century opening stand between Steven Mullaney (24) and Andy Batterley (31). Once these two had departed, Davis and Angel took centre stage and added 93 runs in 22 overs with some exciting strokeplay.

Davis was caught at short mid-wicket with the score on 161 and Angel continued to attack until he was fourth man out at 187 having taken his total to 57.

The scoring rate had escalated due largely to another aggressive display from Gareth Cross who raced to 27 off 25 balls and this enabled Leigh to declare after 50 overs with a satisfactory 203-6 on the scoreboard.

The Maghull batsmen were under pressure right from the start with Angel and Davis always looking menacing and the wickets inevitably began to fall.

Both bowlers bowled long accurate spells and when they were rested the home side had been reduced to 69-5 off 27 overs and defeat appeared inevitable. One of the wickets that had fallen was that of Pakistani star Ashar Zaidi who was caught behind after attempting to hook a short delivery from Angel. There were also numerous near misses and a large number of runs scored off the edge of the bat.

But the lower order batsmen refused to lie down and a spirited fightback was initiated by Plumbley who scored 21 before being smartly stumped by Cross off the bowling of Cottrell. Forest and Crilly then put together an impressive 53 partnership for the eighth wicket before Davis returned to have Crilly caught at slip for 25.

Davis followed this up by trapping Knox lbw with his next ball and Forest was last man out for a fine 35 bowled by Angel. Angel finished with 4-49 and has now totalled 45 league wickets this season, and Davis claimed 4-64.

This win moves Leigh into third place in the league table ahead of Northern who are Saturday's visitors to Beech Walk. This eagerly anticipated clash sees the return to Leigh of two of their ex-players who have recently signed for the Crosby club, all-rounder Greg Dimery, the former Atherton professional, and opening bowler Mike Holden.

The visitors will also include in their ranks the Liverpool Competition's leading English bowler, Phil Unsworth, who is sure to give the Leigh batsmen a stern test.