LEIGH CC reached the semi-finals of the ECB Premier League National Cup despite a heavy defeat by Ormskirk last weekend.

With two previous wins in the group stage, Leigh qualified for the last four as the best runner-up.

The Group Two decider at Beech Walk went the way of the visitors in a rain-affected game.

New Aussie recruit Jo Angel was Leigh's top scorer, smashing 57 off 80 balls, an innings that included four fours and a six. With Ronnie Davis adding an unbeaten 20, Leigh closed on 164-8.

Leigh never got on top of the Ormskirk attack in which Alan Taylor took 3-17, David Snellgrove 2-32 and Adam Waterhouse 2-40.

Ormskirk's reply was reduced by rain for the second week running with a revised target of 135 from 37 overs. They coasted home, reaching 137-2 in 26.1 overs to win by eight wickets.

Andy Robinson top scored with 66 not out while Snellgrove fell just two short of a half century in an innings that included nine fours.

Leigh start their ECB Premier League programme with a visit to Lytham on Saturday.