LEIGH CC experienced mixed fortunes at the weekend with a convincing league win over Sefton on Saturday but were desperately disappointed to be beaten by the same opposition the following day in the Regional Final of the National KO.

Saturday's win came after Leigh had amassed a commanding 232-7 before declaring.

Andy Batterley and Tim McKiernan again provided a solid platform with an opening half-century stand before Batterley was bowled for 29.

McKiernan was next to go having made 35 from 54 balls and when Nigel Hallows was adjudged lbw soon after, Leigh were 90-3.

Andy Mullaney joined acting skipper Dave Dove and together they added 60 in just 10 overs before Mullaney was bowled for 30, having hit two 4s and two 6s. Dove by now had reached his 50 and when Ronnie Davis came to the crease they began to plunder the Sefton bowling.

Dove had reached a fine 80 before he too was lbw. It was Davis' late assault which enabled Dove to declare after 50 overs. Davis finished with 42 from just 28 balls and included three 4s and three 6s.

Sefton were left 60 overs to reach their target and despite Sikander going for 15 in his first over, it wasn't long before the Sefton batsmen were in trouble. Davis claimed the all-important wicket of Aussie, Paulson, well caught at slip by Sikander.

Three wickets

Davis also bowled Houghton for a duck but it was Sikander who claimed three wickets to reduce Sefton to 64-5.

Horton battled defiantly before Dove took a skier to remove him for 37 and giving Sikander his fifth wicket. Chris Melia bowled five tidy overs and claimed the wicket of Whelan in the process. Sikander mopped up the tail without further ado as Sefton crashed to 116 all out. Davis finished with 2-33 but it was Sikander's 7-70 that did the most damage.

Sunday was a complete reversal in fortunes as Sefton had the better of things in the Regional Final of the National KO.

Sefton got off to a good start, adding 76 for the first wicket. Potter made a breakthrough but Horton maintained Sefton's momentum.

Melia removed Mahadanaarachichi but not before he had made 48 from 56 balls. On a hot day and a fast outfield, Leigh struggled to stem the flow of runs and it was only when young Steve Mullaney was introduced that further success came. Mullaney dismissed both Horton and Nicholas while Davis and Potter picked up further wickets.

Potter finished with 3-30, Mullaney 2-44 and Davis 1-30 as Sefton made 220.

In reply Batterley and McKiernan both reached into the 20s, none of Leigh's middle order built an innings as they collapsed to 115-8 with 17 overs left.

Any slim hopes rest on their only recognised batsman, Hallows. the situation brought the best out of him and his positive approach soon had the scoreboard rattling along. Melia occupied the crease at the other end and together they added 47.

Hallows had passed a deserved half-century and had taken the score to 178 when his scorching drive was well caught at long off, ending his innings of 62.

Tomorrow Leigh come up against Pakistan leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed who is guesting for Northrop Hall. On Sunday, starting at 1pm, Leigh entertain Darwen in the Lancashire Cup.

lWOMEN'S cricket began at Leigh last week with a victory over Highfield.

Leigh restricted their opponents to 70, the star performers being Jess Brett (1-4) and Maria Fallon (2-0) with Debbie Dove and Gill Gregson adding a wicket apiece.

Leigh knocked off the runs with a fine 13 from Gregson, Judith Jones (7), Sheila McKiernan (10) and a crucial 17 from Fallon.