CRICKETERS at Leyland DAF must be feeling down in the dumps after crashing out of the Vaux Samson Cup by the tightest of margins.

Playing Morecambe away from home, Daf found themselves the losers when both sides amazingly finished up 147 all out - but Morecambe did it quicker and go through on a faster run rate!

League secretary Norman Brown said: "Considering that to get a situation like this they have to have lost all wickets to get level scores, this is very rare.

"I can only remember the odd occasion when it has happened in the past.

"It must have been an exciting game for both the teams and the spectators."

DAF made a good start with Stuart Catterall notching up 56 in an innings which lasted 151 minutes. Ben Henderson managed 24, while Alan Richardson scored 29, but it was the rest of the batting order who let the side down.

Morecambe's professional Ashwell Prince hit 50 before Phil Iddon caught him off a ball from DAF professional Stephen John - who ultimately picked up 4-32, while Eccles managed 4-18.

Their middle order collapsed before Seasiders' pair Peter Stephen and Damien Gudgeon added 26 before the last wicket went.

Despite their equal matching, cup rules dictate there must be a winner, so Morecambe progress through while DAF will be looking to revive their league fortunes as they still look for their first win of the season.

Leyland 78

Netherfield 207-5

Leyland crumbled in the first cup competition of the season, thanks mainly to an unbeaten 113 from Geoff Folley which guaranteed victory for Netherfield at Fox Lane.

Batting first, Netherfield wasting no time in notching up the runs, with Mike Lewis scoring 19 and John Moyes 37.

Foley then arrived and hit 113 off 115 balls, an innings which included four sixes and six fours as Netherfield reached 207-5.

Leyland struggled to reach just 78 with professional Neil Rimmer showing the way with a top score of 14.

Darwen 219-4

Preston 141-7

Any hopes Preston had of maintaining their winning streak soon evaporated when they met league leaders Darwen.

A 78 run defeat saw Darwen progress and left Preston licking their wounds.

At home, Darwen decided to bat first, and that was a good decision as Garry Jackson and Gareth Cordingley held a second wicket partnership of 96, while Richard Petrie added 104 before the third wicket fell.

Cordingley went on to hit 96 before James Anyon caught him.

In reply, Preston got off to a steady start, Paul Mann hitting 20, but even Gavin Johnstone's 39 runs couldn't save Preston from an inevitable defeat.

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