A GRITTY innings from Dave Dove helped Leigh CC earn a creditable draw in their away game at high-flying Wallasey.

Opener Dove batted through the entire Leigh innings as they chased the home team's 230-3.

Wallasey got off to a steady start, adding 31 for the first wicket before Ronnie Davis struck having Beaver caught by Dove at midwicket for 21.

Luxon and Reid both rode their luck before Iqbal Sikander removed Luxon, also for 21. Wallasey's Australian, Betsey, joined Reid and together they added 140 in 27 overs as the Leigh bowlers failed to impress.

Remaining cool

A run out was needed to break the partnership, Potter remaining cool to run Reid out by yards, but his innings of 84 was the backbone of the Wallasey innings.

Betsey played fluently as Wallasey looked to post a big total. Sikander picked up another wicket but Betsey moved on to an unbeaten 77 when the declaration came on 230-3.

Leigh couldn't have made a worse start, Tim McKiernan falling early on having scored 10 of the 11 runs on the board.

Andy Batterley joined Dove and made 18 before being caught at slip off a ball that took a piece of the Wallsey wicket. Batterley's innings set the tone for the Leigh middle order who all got in and made a start but failed to convert their innings into big scores.

Andy Mullaney made 23 from 29 balls, Gareth Cross made 20, also from 29, and Davis a fluent 19 which included four 4s.

At 158-5 the game was in the balance. Dove was still there, not playing fluently but approaching his 50. Sikander looked as though he would stay with him until he was adjudged lbw and when Steve Bailey went in the same over, Leigh's chances of victory seemed lost.

Tight bowling from Wallasey sent the run rate up and, with the risk of losing too great, the decision was taken to play with caution with an eye on the bonus points.

Dove showed his fighting qualities and found an ally in Nigel Hallows who batted with great responsibility.

Up came the final over with Leigh on 192-7. Dove hit a four and a single and with one ball remaining, Hallows lofted one into the deep, far enough for the Leigh lads to gallop three and take the total to 200 for the extra batting point.

Hallows finished unbeaten on 14 and Dove unbeaten on 74, having faced 175 balls and hitting 13 fours.

Tomorrow Leigh entertain Northern at Beech Walk, wickets pitched at 1pm. On Sunday they travel to Netherfield of the Northern League, for a Lancashire Cup fourth round tie.