A PROMISING performance by Preston saw them secure a winning draw against Lancaster in the Bay Northern Premier League on Saturday.

After Preston scored 194 for 8 the visitors replied with 129 for 5 giving the West Cliff side six points.

Leyland Motors were humiliated by Darwen being dismissed for just 44.

And it was more misery for Leyland and Farrington. They were defeated at Morecambe who passed their total of 179 for the loss of just three wickets.

Motors' disastrous defeat against Darwen was mainly due to a magnificent seven wicket haul from Andrew Mercer.

Motors were asked to bat and the Darwen attack of professional Keith Semple and Mercer soon had them reeling as they pinned them down with a barrage of accurate fast bowling.

Semple took the first wicket in his first over as wicketkeeper Parkinson hung onto a sharp chance from Barnes.

He was soon followed back to the pavilion by professional Ashraf who got an edge to a lifter from Mercer that was snapped up by captain Jeff Hacking.

Aspinal and Catterall then put together Leyland's biggest partnership of the day, adding 16 before Mercer took the wickets of Catterall and Edelston both lbw.

In his next three overs, Mercer took four wickets, clean bowling Makinson, Aspinall, Cummings and Howarth as he became completely unplayable.

Mercer finished with seven for19 from his 12 overs. Semple took the other two wickets as Motors were dismissed for a disappointing 44.

Darwen lost two wickets in reply but Gareth Cordingley and Semple were able to see them home finishing on 18 and 15 not out.

Motors had better luck on Sunday in the Thwaites Trophy when they beat Morecambe 3-2 in a bowl out.