PRESTON opened the new season with a close win over Leyland Motors in their Northern Premier League Division One clash.

Preston scored 197/7 to just overhaul Motors' target of 195/9 to take the 12 points.

Top scorers for Preston were Jobart with 50 and Shah with 49. Motors came away with six points with Cummings top scoring with 49 not out.

Leyland suffered a heavy seven wicket home defeat against St Annes with the visitors scoring 150/3 to their 147/9 to leave the Fox Lane side with just two points from their opening match.

In Division Two Leyland beat St Annes by seven runs after scoring an impressive 259.

Leyland Motors won at Preston passing the target of 132/9 for the loss of seven wickets.

Preston travel to Morecambe on Saturday, while Leyland play host to Darwen and Motors take on local rivals Chorley at Windsor Park.