THINGS can only get better for Leyland Cricket Club after they suffered a humiliating Bank Holiday Monday defeat.

They only managed to notch up 48 runs against Chorley in what, at best, can be described as an embarrassing defeat.

Chorley's Keith Eccleshare even managed to take three wickets for just one run.

Now they have appointed their first ever full-time cricket coach, in the form of all-rounder Terry Ashcroft.

This season's performance is nothing like last year's, where only a end-of-season collapse prevented them from challenging for the title.

In fairness, they have had to overcome several obstacles this season, including the loss of nine players, meaning the club has to rely on youngsters.

According to a club spokesman, Leyland's recent 10-wicket collapse against Fleetwood sparked the club into action.

He said: "To make just 79 there when we should have been looking at 200 is not good enough.

"We are having to rebuild again and hopefully Terry's influence will point us the right direction." Hopefully, they will be able to correct things on the coast this Saturday, when they face Blackpool.

Each of our local teams played two games over the bank holiday, and none managed to win. Hopefully Preston will be able to pull back this weekend, too. A disappointing bank holiday has seen them drop down the table. They welcome Kendal to South Meadow Lane. Leyland DAF are at home to Fleetwood.

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