LEIGH CC drew their second consecutive league match on Saturday in a high scoring game against newly promoted Maghull.

Having won the toss and batted first on a good wicket, Maghull started slowly but solidly. Indeed it was in the 31st over with the score on 108 before the introduction of Andy Mullaney made the breakthrough having White caught for 66.

Maghull's overseas player Zaidi made a quickfire 32 in an effort to raise the tempo before Ronnie Davis trapped him lbw. Jo Angel then picked up the wicket of Parsley for a duck, but it was to be the spin twins of Chris Melia and Dave Jennings who did most of the damage in the middle order, with both bowlers picking up two wickets apiece.

Tea came and went as Maghull batted on. Davis picked up the wicket of opener Barlow who had frustrated the Leigh bowlers in grinding out a defiant 72. Only when Angel deservedly picked up his second wicket did Maghull declare with their total on 237-9 from 57 overs.

In reply, Leigh got off to the best possible start with Andy Batterley in particularly fluent form. He raced to 50 from just 44 balls while Davis played a solid supporting role.

Together the pair went on to add 125 for the first wicket before Batterley was bowled round his legs for a wonderful 88. His innings came frrom just 77 balls and included 14 fours and 2 sixes.

Dove received two full tosses, hitting the first for six before miscueing the second to be caught at mid-wicket. Davis fell soon after, adjudged caught behind for a fine 42.

With Andy Mullaney, Gareth Cross and Jo Angel falling in quick

succession, a promising position had become 158-6 and Leigh were hanging on.

Great ally

Steve Bailey was still there and he found a great ally in Nick Jones. Bailey made a fluent 27 before being caught at long off and with the score on 207-7 with just six overs remaining the game was in the balance.

With the fielding side being cautious about losing the match they made life difficult for the Leigh tailenders, and despite the valiant efforts of Jones, who finished unbeaten with an excellent 32, the game petered into a draw.

Crilly finished with figures of 7 for 77 for Magull. Leigh's only consolation was to collect maximum batting and bowling bonus points.

On Saturday, Leigh visit Northern in a league match, wickets piched at 1pm and on Sunday entertain Chorley in the the first round of the Lancashire Cup, wickets pitched at Beech Walk, 1.30pm.