FLEETWOOD beat Preston (121-3/120-8) by seven wickets on Saturday (August 12) after restricting the home side to just 120 from their full 60 overs, writes John Richardson.

They required 24 overs to secure their seventh victory of the season, and move up to third place in the league.

Preston captain Tony Hesketh won the toss against his former club and elected to bat but his side were soon in trouble for 6-2.

The opener Anthony Mann and Preston professional, Scott Henderson redressed the balance with a 54 run partnership for the third wicket before Mann was caught by Mike Clinnings off Fleetwood professional Abbas Ali for 31. Preston found runs hard to accumulate against the accurate Fleetwood bowling attack. The home side were struggling at 88-6 when Scott Henderson was run out for 25.

An unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 16 between Jabir Namajee and Trevor Donaldson brough Preston's total to a respectable 120.

In reply Fleetwood captain, John Wright carried his bat for 36 ably assisted by Mark Wilkinson who was 37 not out.

Wright and Wilkinson shared an unbeaten 4th wicket partnership of 55. Wilkinson in a cameo of an innings only batted 27 minutes, faced 26 balls, and scored 30 of his runs in boundaries.

Abbas Ali chipped in with 36. He battled 42 minutes, faced 34 balls, and hit 5 fours.

Although, Fleetwood lost their first wicket at four, Ali and Wright laid the foundation for victory with a second wicket partnership of 53.