LEIGH CC experienced mixed fortunes in their league matches over the weekend with a defeat at Bootle and victory against Huyton.

Bootle made a steady start despite the loss of opener Reilly to Sikander for a single and moved to 62-1 from 25 overs.

Selwood was Sikander's second victim, caught by Dave Potter, but Leather and Hignett then took the attack to the Leigh bowling and despite several changes, Leigh were unable to make further inroads.

When Colin Smith dismissed Leather for 62 and Ronnie Davis sent back Hignett for 51, Bootle were in the driving seat.

At 163-3 from 40 overs, Leigh were expecting a final onslaught but Bootle were pegged back and had to go on until the 55th over until feeling comfortable enough to declare at 212-8. Sikander and Davis picked up further wickets with the former finishing with figures of 4-75 off 22.

Particularly severe

In reply, Batterley took the attack to the Bootle bowlers, being particularly severe on professional Pickering whose first five overs went for 52.

The score was on 80 from just 10 overs before Leigh lost their second wicket. But this sparked an amazing collapse with Gareth Cross (17) and Tim McKiernan (24) left to pick up the pieces. Colin Smith hit a defiant 20 but Leigh were finally all out for 158 with nine overs to spare.

Monday's Bank Holiday clash with Huyton was crucial after Saturday's defeat.

Leigh batted first and again it was Batterley who led from the front.

Four wickets had tumbled at the other end before Batterley also succumbed, unfortunate to be dismissed one short of a half century. His innings, which included six fours, showed great responsibility against an opposing attack which included West Indian pace man Marlon Black.

At 129-5 the innings was in the balance, but it swung in favour of Leigh mainly thanks to a splendid 51 from Cross. His five fours and a six enabled Leigh to put bat to ball in the final stages. Davis made 23 from 29 balls, including a six into the houses, and Smith weighed in with 14 from 19 balls as Leigh declared on 175-6.

Regular intervals

Huyton lost wickets at regular intervals as Davis and Sikander exerted their influence on the game.

Davis took the important wicket of Black before Sikander struck with his bowling and fielding. he had Huyton's wicket-keeper caught behind from two and than ran out Day with a direct hit. Dove then ran out Nawab with another direct hit and at 71-5 Huyton were relying heavily on skipper Wilson.

Smith then produced a fine spell of 1-14 including the wicket of Wilson for 36 and at 98-7 it seemed only a matter of time before Leigh wrapped up the victory. Dove atoned for dropping Withers of Davis with a magnificent diving catch at point. Davis and Sikander then mopped up the tail to see Leigh home by 54 runs.

Sikander finished with 3-65 and David 4-35.

On Sunday Leigh cruised to the fourth round of the National KO with a 41-run win over Cheshire League opponents Oxton.

Batterley and McKiernan added 60 for the first wicket before a mix-up saw McKiernan ran out for 23.

A magnificent partnership of 163 between Batterley and Davis put Leigh on the way to victory. Both batsmen passed 50 before Davis was bowled for an excellent 67 - his innings including seven fours and two sixes from just 70 balls.

But it was Batterley's day to take the limelight as he moved from 50 to his second century of the season in only 35 balls. His 100 included 12 fours and three sixes. He was eventually dismissed for a magnificent 120 and with 231 on the board, Leigh were in a commanding position.

The remaining batsmen failed to take full advantage of the situation and the innings closed on 255-9.

Ben Cottrell struck the first blow with the ball by removing both Oxton openers and when Smith and Chris Melia were introduced, they started to wreak havoc and at 137-6 the game was beyond Oxton.

McKiernan claimed two wickets and Davis one as Oxton's innings closed on 214-9.

Tomorrow Leigh entertain old rivals Wigan at Beech Walk with wickets pitched at 1pm. The following day Leigh visit Northern in the first round of the Liverpool Chelmere Cup.