LEIGH CC won their second consecutive match in the Liverpool & District Premier Division Cup Competition, beating Northern by six wickets on Saturday.

Batting first, Northern had to face a hostile opening spell from Leigh's new Western Australian import, Jo Angel.

He was rested after a first spell of seven overs, where he claimed 2 for 14, crucially getting the wicket of the Graham Morris for 18.

Leigh's bowlers remained in charge, with Chris Melia showing his usual reliability, bowling his nine over stint unchanged, taking 2 for 30. Nigel Hallows also bowled a fine line and length with his leg spin and was pleased to see Gareth Cross behind the stumps as two Northern batsmen ventured out of the crease with fatal results.

Resistance

Only Edwards with 42 and Voslioo with 27 showed any resistance as Steve Mullaney, Ronnie Davis, Ben Cottrell and Jo Angel claimed the last four wickets as Northern's innings closed on 155 all out.

Due to a rain interruption, Leigh's revised target was 145 in 42 overs. They set about this target with a fine array of shots, aided by some wayward bowling.

With 41 on the board, Ronnie Davis was caught behind for 16. Andy Mullaney followed shortly after, giving Northern some hope. Gareth Cross set about the Northern bowling adding 41 in 10 overs with Andy Batterley, before Batterley was caught by the wicketkeeper with an excellent one handed diving catch. Batterley's 39, including seven fours had been the foundation of Leigh's innings.

Steve Bailey was unfortunately adjudged lbw as, again, Leigh lost two wickets in quick succession. Leigh then had their first view of Jo Angel with the bat and after looking decidedly edgy at the start, he proceeded to despatch the ball to the fence with four boundaries in quick succession.

Cross meanwhile reached a well deserved half century with some crisp pulls and drives. As Leigh passed their revised target with over 10 overs remaining, Cross had hit a six, a five and 6 fours in his 52.

Leigh second XI also claimed a second consecutive win in remarkable circumstances.

Chasing a victory target of 223, Leigh had slumped 106 for 8. Dave Jennings and, coming in at number 11, James Chapman, provided tremendous support to Patrick Travers whose magnificent unbeaten 87 saw Leigh home by one wicket.

This Saturday, Leigh 1st XI entertain Ormskirk at Beech Walk in the final group game of the Liverpool & District Premier Division Cup Competition, wickets pitched at 1.30pm. On Sunday, St. Annes are the visitors in the first round of the National Knockout competition.

All this followed the previous weekends fixture, a crushing 221-run defeat of Northop Hall in the first group stage match in the Liverpool & District Premier Division.

Batting first, Andrew Batterley and Ronnie Davis added 121 for the first wicket in just 20 overs before Batterley misjudged a delivery from Khan and was caught at mid-on. His innings of 60, including 8 fours, from just 66 balls had set the tempo for Leigh's innings.

Andrew Mullaney joined Davis and, after a watchful start, began to take control of the bowling. Davis too was now in full flow, passing his 50 in 51 balls and heading steadily towards his century.

Flurry

Mullaney passed his half century in only 45 balls and followed this with a flurry of 4's and 6's to reach his century from only another 22 balls. Davis followed suit to claim his second century for Leigh.

The remaining overs were just a combination of strokeplay and awesome power as no Northop Hall bowler could escape the severity of the batting on display.

Davis carried his bat throughout the 45 overs, powering his way to 139 not out. His innings included 20 fours and 2 sixes and came from 130 balls faced. Mullaney finished unbeaten on 122 from an amazing 67 balls faced.

A depleted Northop Hall team trudged off facing a victory target of 338.

To their credit, Northop Hall started positively despite the setback of losing opener Powell to Ben Cottrell in the second over. Dyer hit 4 boundaries before Angel claimed his first wicket for the club, bowling him for 19.

After that, the bowling show belonged to the spin twins of Melia and Hallows. Melia, using all his guile and experience claimed four wickets for just 11 runs as he ripped through the middle order. Hallows found a lovely line and length to claim a couple of wickets, again just conceding 11 runs, including last man Brown, well stumped by Cross, bringing the contest to an early close as Northop Hall were all out for just 116.