LEIGH'S inability to win the toss resulted in their fifth draw from seven league outings against Liverpool on Saturday.

Once again Leigh batted first, and despite the early loss of openers Dimery and Bailey, they were soon progressing nicely. Dove and Charlson added 67 for the third wicket before Charlson was unlucky to be caught behind down the leg side for 14.

Skipper Dave Dove followed shortly after, but not before once again reaching a half century which included 10 fours. Clive Muir, Steve Whalley and Colin Marshall all added momentum to the innings. Muir hit 42 from 58 balls, including seven fours and a six, Whalley hit a quickfire 16 and Marshall hit four fours in an unbeaten 23.

The middle order onslaught brought 90 runs from 15 overs and enabled the declaration to be made from 45 overs with 182 on the board and maximum batting points.

In reply Duddle bowled opener Wylie in the first over and West Indian Armstrong faced 32 balls for his 13 before racing down the wicket and was bowled by Dave Potter.

Liverpool plodded along to their last 20 overs, and needed 120 with eight wickets in hand. They then lost five wickets in five overs to slump from 65 for two to 73-7.

At this stage Liverpool's intentions were to deny Leigh a victory and this they did despite various bowling changes. Liverpool's innings closed on 113 for eight with Leigh collecting seven bonus points, and Liverpool three.

G Dimery c Kenward b AWylie ...5

S Bailey c C Wylie b Last ...8

D Dove lbw Blackburn ...50

D Charlson c C Wylie b Hall ...14

C Muir c Armstrong b Armstrong ...42

S Whalley c Crossley b Hall ...16

C Marshall not out ...23

D Potter lbw Blakburn ...6

C Goose not out ...0

Extras ...16

Total (for 7) ...182

Bowling: A Wylie 10-1-29-1; W Last 7-0-26-1; G Blackburn 15-3-45-3; D Hall 9-1-51-2; D Park 4-0-26-0.

C Wylie b Duddle ...0

G Blackburn c Bailey b Dimery ...22

S Armstrong b Potter ...13

S Newley c Dove b Dimery ...25

T Kenward b Charlson ...0

J Crossley b Duddle ...31

D Hall b Charlson ...0

W Last b Dimery ...1

R Diggle not out ...12

P Park not out ...1

Extras ...8

Total (for 8) ...113

Bowling: G Duddle 14-6-23-2; D Potter 10-2-29-1; D Charlson 10-2-34-2; G Dimery 11-5-20-3; C Marshall 2-1-1-0.

Match drawn

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