NOT surprisingly, the weather forecast was wrong, so instead of the wet afternoon promised by our meteorological department Sunday brought a pleasant afternoon of early summer sun.

Leigh lost the toss but were happy with the Formby captain's decision to offer them the chance to bat.

Openers Paul Blackburn and Steve Williams looked set until a great catch at point sent Williams packing when the score was 24. Michael Bond joined Blackburn and began to compile a stylish innings sharing in what promised to be a good partnership before Blackburn was adjudged caught from a 'bumped' ball.

With Greg Jennings caressing well placed shots to all parts of the ground it looked as if Leigh were on for a big score. However, Jennings somehow managed to get himself stumped as he turned round to watch the keeper pick up the ball and throw down the stumps.

Smashing the ball

Rob Higginson was next in and along with Bond put on a very good 58 partnership before Bond was caught on 46. Higginson took quite a liking to the offerings of the young Lancashire spin bowler Nick Connor by smashing the ball around the ground.

Pete Taylor joined Higginson with the score on 123 and together they quietly put on 39 before Higginson was lbw to the Formby captain after crafting an excellently 43.

This brought in Billy Banner and once again the 'old pair' of Banner and Taylor were left to see the innings to a point were Leigh could declare on 181-5 after 45 overs.

The Formby players, lead by their outspoken captain, were particularly vocal throughout the innings commenting on the ability and parentage of the Leigh players. Their comments only made the Leigh team more determined to come out stronger in the second half.

After the break Adam Roussak and Greg Jennings opened the bowling and Jennings trapped Formby's opening batsman in front with his second delivery. Roussak was unlucky to have two catches dropped and could have had more respectable figures than what he ended with. Jennings at the other end bowled with aggression and accuracy ending with figures of 11 for one off six overs.

Billy Banner took over from Roussak once again proving to be a match winner with his consistent off spin. When Mike Harding joined him at the other end there was no reason why the captain should break the partnership as they both regularly chipped in with wickets as Formby lost the plot in not knowing if they should attack the Leigh total or shut up shop and play for a draw.

Formby were eventually all out for 100 giving Leigh a well deserved 24 points. Three out of three so far, the players are full of self-belief and confidence and can't wait for their next outing which unfortunately is three weeks away due to the complexities of the fixture list.

Special mention should be made to the superb performance of Steve Williams in his first match behind the stumps. His quick hands brought him two stumpings and one catch giving the bowlers the kind of support they need.