Only Motors, who took the bragging rights at Leyland, had anything to be cheerful about after the Bank Holiday weekend with the three local sides now occupying three of the bottom four places in the Surridge Northern Premier League league table.

Saturday was particularly disastrous when not one of the teams managed to make a score of 100 plus.

Put into hard figures 30 players went to the crease for Preston, Leyland, and Motors and between them made a combined score of 214.

That was just seven runs more than second placed Netherfield recorded against Leyland who were then skittled out by the Cumbrian side for 66. Motors were hammered at home to Barrow after scoring a paltry 57 with the visitors losing just two wickets in reply.

Preston could only manage 91 in reponse to a total of 165/8 by Morecambe.

Monday was not much better, with Preston reaching 129 before losing by eight wickets to champions-elect St Annes, and in the local derby Leyland managed just 102 in reply to the Motors 133 for 8.

There were not many highlights to savour. Preston pro' Mario Ventura, run out for 45, top scored against St Annes and then took both wickets to fall with a return of two wickets for 22 off 11 overs.

The local derby was a typical gritty affair and Leyland must have fancied their chances when they had the visitors at 26 for 4 with pro' Atif Ashraf back in the pavilion for a duck, and skipper David Makinson with him for two. But the middle order recovered the position with number five Reece leading the fightback scoring 25 helped by Cummings (24), and A Makinson top scoring with 33 not out to help finish their innings on 133 for 8.

In reply Leyland soon lost opener Mercer for two and though his partner Parkinson stuck there to make 39 before going lbw to Cummings, Dave Makinson's tight bowling made headway difficult and it was left to Charlie Williams, and Steve Pallet at nine and ten to try a run chase.

But it was to no avail as the home side were bowled out for 102. Dave Makinson returned figures of four wickets for 14 off ten overs for Motors and Adam Parker's three wickets for 24 off 14 overs for Leyland were the day's best bowling figures.