LEIGH CC eased into the next round of the National Knockout with a resounding eight wicket win over Skelmersdale at Beech Walk on Sunday.

Having won the toss, skipper Steve Bailey opted to give his bowlers first use of the ball in the wet conditions.

Tight bowling from Ronnie Davis and Graham Duddle had the Skelmersdale batsmen under pressure and wickets soon began to fall.

With three wickets down Colin Smith and Dave Jennings entered the attack, but this proved no respite for the Skelmersdale batsmen. Blakey made 20, although it took 73 balls, and captain Wright made 26 in a late effort to make the score respectable.

Ben Cottrell took the last wicket, a fine stumping by Gareth Cross, but it was Duddle (2-13), Davis (3-19), Smith (2-22) and Jennings (2-24) who did the damage and limited Skelmersdale to 128 when they were finally all out in the last of their 45 overs.

In reply Leigh continued with the formidable opening partnership with Andy Batterley once again leading the way.

After 18 overs the game was effectively over as Batterley hit his seventh four and reached his 50 as the score rattled along to 78. Nigel Hallows again played a supporting role before being caught for 26 but not before their second successive century partnership.

Batterley soon followed, adjudged lbw for a magnificent 75 from just 83 balls. Dave Dove and Cross had the formality of knocking off the remaining 13 runs which they completed to see Leigh home by eight wickets with 13 overs to spare.

Leigh's match last Saturday was completely washed out with Leigh and Bootle collecting one point each in the final group game of the Liverpool Competition Premier League Knockout. It was enough to see Leigh through to the semi-finals where they entertain Sephton on Bank Holiday Monday. Wickets are pitched at 1.30pm.

Tomorrow Leigh entertain last season's Premier League and Cheshire Cup winners Wallasey at Beech Walk, wickets pitched 1pm, in their opening league match.