By Dave Croft

Cricket

Sunshine fails to lift the gloom

Preston fail to shine in the sun

ALTHOUGH the sun was shining it failed to lift the gloom at Preston and Leyland Motors on Saturday as both sides were defeated at home.

At West Cliff Preston chose to bat first and were bowled out by visitors Barrow for 146 with only Seadon (30) and Rauf Aqbar with a half century making respectable scores.

The visitors passed the total for the loss of only three wickets. Barrow pro' Rawl Lewis added to his bowling figures of four for 52 with a fine 66 not out.

Leyland Motors looked like snatching a surprise victory at home to the league leaders Netherfield when they dismissed the visitors for 142 with pro Dale Benkenstein top scoring with an excellent 84 not out.

Without his fine innings the result could have been different as only one other batsman made it to double figures.

Lillee just about shaded the bowling honours for the Motors with three wickets for 16 runs. Ashraf, with three for 21 and Dave Makinson with two for 36 both made sound contributions.

Motors fell 30 runs short when it was their turn to bat only Rounding 35, Aspinwall 21 and Cartwright managed double figures as the home team struggled to make headway against Clement who returned a fine six for 23.

Leyland had no game.

This weekend it is Motors' turn to go without a game while Leyland are at home to title chasers Fleetwood and Preston travel to Blackpool.