LEYLAND enjoyed a superb Bank Holiday by winning the local derby by two wickets, albeit that there were only two balls remaining in the match.

There was a prolonged delay before the match got under way due to rain and a wet ground.

Leyland captain, Brian Tennant won the toss, and put DAF into bat.

It looked a wise move when Leyland DAF professional, Stephen John, promoted to open, was caught behind by Charlie Williams off Tennant without scoring.

With only 14 runs on the scoreboard, Brian Tennant struck again having DAF captain, David Makinson dismissed in identical fashion.

James Aspinwall and Mark Howarth stopped the rot with a third wicket partnership of 26 before Aspinwall was caught by Stephen Pallett off Neil Rimmer, the Leyland professional, for 25. He batted 58 minutes, and hit three fours.

Howarth and Alex Totham took the score onto 73 before Totham was LBW to Neil Kenyon for 14.

Half the DAF side were dismissed for 84 when Alan Richardson was caught by Ian McDonnell in Tennant's second spell for two.

Four runs later, Mark Howarth was caught by Rimmer off Tenant for a solid 38. He batted for 111 minutes, and hit three fours. Alan Murray, playing his first senior game for the club after a back injury, was caught behind by Charlie Williams off Neil Kenyon for five which left DAF struggling at 94-7.

Their last three wickets only produced 18 runs, with Neil Kenyon mopping up the tail.

Simon Hogan, captain of the Great Britain Deaf and Dumb Cricket Team, was left not out without getting off the mark.

Neil Kenyon returned the impressive bowling figures of 5-19 from 8-2 overs.

In reply, Leyland openers Ian McDonnell and Neil Rimmer put on 18 runs before the latter was caught behind by Phil Iddon off Stephen John for twelve.

Leyland were 29-2 when McDonnell was caught by David Makinson off Simon Hogan for eleven.

Two runs later, Mark Swan was bowled by John for a duck but Mark Pallett and Neil Kenyon restored the balance with a 47 runs partnership before Pallett was LBW to John for 29. He batted 56 minutes, and hit two fours and a six.

Neil Kenyon, who was Man of the Match, was bowled by John for 29, which left Leyland on 87-5. He batted 43 minutes, and hit four fours.

Leyland lost their next three wickets for 17 runs but an undefeated ninth wicket partnership of 12 runs between Steven Pallett and Paul Haydock saw Leyland home to victory .

Final score: Leyland DAF 112 v Leyland 116-8